I live in Drumcondra. I'd broadly echo Noel's comments below.
I recently relocated within Drumcondra and I was quite stringent in my requirements as for where the new place should be. I wanted west of the Drumcondra Road, not too close to the canal, but not too far north either.
This cut it down to essentially the roads between St. Alphonsus and Millmount Avenue. These criteria were based off my own requirements obviously, I'm sure you'd have your own ideas, but for my money the area I outlined is the nicest part bearing in mind its proximity to the city centre. It contains the Iona/Lindsay Rds mentioned below. It gives you easy access to Tesco, pubs, restaurants, cafes, newsagents, public transport etc.
Because I'm west of the Drumcondra Rd Croke Park has never really impacted me. If you're living on a road near it bear in mind you may not be able to move freely on match days, and could have thousands of fans passing your door. For me it's just been a case of knowing there are certain times on match days where a trip to the shop or the off licence is going to take a long time.