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Croke Park prepares for Katie Taylor's final professional bout, urging the 80,000 expected attendees to keep noise down and follow traffic plans as they leave the stadium after the Saturday night fight against Flora Pili.
Croke Park is gearing up for what is being billed as the final professional bout of Irish boxing icon Katie Taylor. The farewell fight, scheduled for Saturday night, will see her face unbeaten French opponent Flora Pili and is expected to draw a crowd of around 80,000 people.
Organisers have appealed to supporters to keep noise to a minimum as they leave the stadium after the main event, which could run until close to eleven o'clock. The plea comes amid concerns from residents of the surrounding neighbourhood about the impact of such a large gathering on a residential area that sits close to the city centre. The stadium's director, Peter McKenna, told the Journal that detailed plans have been drawn up to manage the exodus of fans.
A joint meeting with the Gardaí is set for Thursday to review exit routes, emergency procedures and a risk assessment. McKenna stressed that the objective is for attendees to enjoy the evening and then return home safely, and he asked everyone to be mindful of the community when they depart, suggesting they head toward the city centre for further celebrations rather than lingering in the quiet streets surrounding the venue.
Local residents have raised a series of routine concerns, ranging from parking and traffic restrictions to the timing of any lockdown of the streets around the stadium. McKenna said the stadium's community officer works closely with the neighbourhood and that lessons learned from recent concerts have already been put into practice. During the recent concert series there were problems with litter collection, but an agreement with Dublin City Council has resulted in a more rigorous clean‑up plan for the weekend.
In addition to the general public, hundreds of tickets have been allocated specifically for members of the local community to attend Taylor's long‑awaited appearance at the historic ground. McKenna believes the composition of the Saturday crowd will help the event run smoothly, noting that the majority of ticket‑holders are devoted Taylor fans rather than regular boxing enthusiasts. Families and children are also expected in significant numbers, which he says will act as a natural dampener on any overly rowdy behaviour.
Alcohol will be available for purchase inside the venue, but patrons will not be allowed to bring their own drinks through the turnstiles. The bars will operate in a fashion similar to concerts and GAA matches, but will be gradually closed as the fight approaches to avoid a noisy, crowded bar environment during the climax of the night. Organisers aim to strike a balance that keeps the focus on the sport rather than on drinking.
Preparations are already well advanced to convert Croke Park for its first professional boxing event since Muhammad Ali faced Al Lewis in 1972. The turnaround from recent concerts to a major boxing showcase involves separate crews, distinct insurance policies and rigorous health and safety checks. McKenna expressed confidence that the experienced team overseeing the transformation will deliver what he described as a mighty show for the fans who travel to Dublin to witness Taylor's final bout
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