(Belfasttelegraph.co.uk) -- Almost 20 years after they first set their fans rocking in Croke Park, Bono and U2 are set to repeat the performance on the hallowed GAA turf.

Secret negotiations have been under way to clinch the GAA headquarters for a U2 concert next May as the band want to play a major open air venue for their legions of Irish fans.

In 1987, the last time Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton were in Croke Park, 120,000 ecstatic fans sung and screamed their way through two concerts.

It is understood that tickets for the May 2005 gig will go on sale just before Christmas, but in September the band will release their new album which still remains untitled.

And after the Croke Park show next May, U2 will be heading to the UK to perform at the Glastonbury Festival which attracted over 150,000 fans last weekend.

U2 have played twice at Slane Castle but they regard their 1987 gig at Croke Park as one of the high points of their concert career.