GAA Agrees to Open Up Croke Park
DUBLIN - In what is being hailed as a momentous decision, delegates at the GAA annual congress voted to allow soccer and rugby to be played at Croke Park. A motion which would give central council authority to permit other sports to be played in the famous stadium was passed by the necessary two-thirds majority.
The motion was, however, quite specific in that it relates solely to the period during which Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped. That situation won't arise for another two or three years and when it does the soccer and rugby authorities are expected to request the use of Croke Park to stage international fixtures. The alternative will be to play them overseas.
Speculation on the outcome of the April 16 vote became intense as county boards mandated their delegates to vote for or against the motion to amend Rule 42. The numbers appeared to be edging towards change but there were always a few imponderables.
In Ulster just Donegal and Cavan supported any relaxation to Rule 42. In the other three provinces only Cork opposed change while Mayo was undecided. The Cork stance was
somewhat controversial in that no vote was taken.
It was agreed to accept the chairman's argument that such an important issue could only be dealt with at the annual county convention, leaving delegates to congress to abide by the ruling made at the 2003 convention. On that occasion the vote against change was 72 to 17.
What made the outcome unclear was the lack of clarity about the intentions of some overseas delegates, and uncertainty about another 16 votes to be cast by GAA management and representatives of schools, colleges and handball.
On the day, 12 delegates were missing or did not vote and the motion was carried by 227 to 97, 11 votes in excess of the necessary two-thirds majority. Those in favour of change were concerned when delegates agreed to a secret ballot and at that stage many observers concluded that the ban would continue.
Both sides of the argument presented their case passionately, hoping to sway their fellow delegates, but when it was all over the result was accepted by all without a hint of acrimony. Some local residents were equally passionate and, in a noisy protest, made it known that they believe too many fixtures are already taking place in the stadium.
No doubt a few hurdles will have to be cleared before the first soccer or rugby match is played at Croke Park. It is assumed that GAA central council will agree but the rental is likely to be more than either the soccer or rugby authorities anticipated. There is also the question of the corporate boxes. The owners of these may well argue that they are still entitled to use them.
Delegates were faced with another big decision; selecting a successor to President Sean Kelly. Given the choice of Cork's Christy Cooney or Kilkenny's Nicky Brennan, they opted for the Kilkenny man. He will take over the top job this time next year.
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