Gaelic games have been played at the site of Croke Park since the 1890s. Known as Butterly’s Field and later the Jones’ Road Sports Ground, it also hosted cycling and athletics events.

In 1908, the grounds came up for sale. Frank Dineen, a journalist and former GAA President, purchased the grounds in trust for the Association for £3,250. Five years later, the GAA’s finances had improved considerably. Record attendances boosted gate receipts from the Croke Memorial Tournament and the Association purchased the grounds from Dineen for £3,500. It was re-named Croke Memorial Park, after the GAA’s first patron, Archbishop Croke.