Mayo is in with a chance of hosting international rugby if Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup is successful.
MacHale Park was named on Tuesday as one of the 12 Irish stadia that could potentially host Rugby World Cup matches when the IRFU launched its official bid.
If the bid plans come to fruition, the list of stadia will be reduced to eight or 10.
The selection process for the tournament will run from now until November 2017, when World Rugby will decide on the successful candidate to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Mayo has never hosted a senior men’s international rugby match, with only Dublin, Belfast, and Limerick being bestowed the honour in Ireland.
The stadium in Castlebar is one of only two grounds in Connacht to be named on the shortlist with Galway GAA’s home of Pearse Stadium in Salthill being the other.
Home of Connacht rugby, The Sportsground, was not considered for the shortlist due to size restrictions.
In the past MacHale Park has been the scene for many high profile GAA sporting events as it played host to the 1934 National Football League final and the 2001 All-Ireland senior football quarter-final between Roscommon and Galway.
It also has hosted many Connacht senior football club and intercounty finals.
