GAA move to confirm stadium use

The GAA have made further moves to end any lingering doubts about rugby and soccer being played in Croke Park next year and there won't be any further debate on the matter ahead of next month's congress. This effectively means the relaxing of Rule 42 can't be revisited before 2007.

The only sticking point has been Central Council's decision last December to grant a request from the IRFU and FAI to rent the ground, which ultimately cleared the way for rugby and soccer internationals to be played in Croke Park in 2007. Since then, however, certain members of Central Council have been claiming that decision was based on the assumption planning permission for Lansdowne Road would be granted before the end of this year, which for obvious reasons can't be guaranteed.

While Central Council are now being asked to clarify that decision, they don't meet again until the Friday afternoon of the GAA's annual congress, set for April 21st-22nd. More importantly, that clarification is almost certain to confirm the playing of rugby and soccer in Croke Park for at least 2007.

"If Central Council needs to make clarification on this then obviously that will be given," said the GAA PRO Danny Lynch. "But I think the director general Liam Mulvihill has already spelled it out to everyone in his annual report presented yesterday.

"He referred to the democratic decision taken by congress, and which was given effect by Central Council in December 2005. This was done prior to any meeting with the IRFU and FAI, but then they were obliged to confirm their fixtures for 2007 in January of this year, which was why agreement had to be reached when it did. So as far as we're aware whether or not planning permission is part of the redevelopment process is not even an issue right now."

The enduring ambiguity arises from the terms of the motion under which Rule 42 was relaxed at last April's annual congress. The text as passed read: "Central Council shall have the power to authorise the use of Croke Park for games other than those controlled by the association during a temporary period when Lansdowne Road Football Ground is closed for the proposed development."

Yet when it came before Central Council in December the debate was short and sweet, with the vote being carried by a margin of about six to one among the 50 or so delegates. Even then, however, there were feelings the matter would have to be revisited if the Lansdowne Road planning permission failed to come through on time.

One who believes this is the case is Cork's Central Council delegate Bob Honohan, who yesterday called for a special meeting on Central Council to clarify the matter ahead of Congress. "I for one assumed redevelopment work meant that work had to be physically taking place," said Honohan, "not that Lansdowne Road was sitting idly by for a year or two waiting for planning permission. In other words we agreed to open Croke Park to soccer and rugby once the work had started on Lansdowne Road, or was at least ready to roll.

"But there here is a strong possibility the IRFU could be waiting one, two or even three years before planning permission is granted. And as far as I'm concerned you can't start any redevelopment work without planning permission. So I just feel the thing has gone beyond the spirit of the motion, and expect we will have a lively debate when this goes back to Central Council."

The IRFU have given assurances planning permission will be obtained by the start of 2007, thus necessitating the use of Croke Park from the start of next year. But by the time objections and appeals are factored in the procedure could take a lot longer.

"That's the whole issue," added Honohan. "I think there were three groups of thought at congress last year. Those who wanted to open Croke Park with no preconditions; those who were against it; and those who felt we should do the patriotic thing and help out in the time of need. I don't think Lansdowne Road is at its hour of need just yet. So I think the wise thing now would be to call a special meeting of Central Council, so we could at least have the whole thing cleared up ahead of congress."