McCague answers critics

GAA president Sean McCague has made his strongest condemnation so far of the continuous public comment that no Government funding should be allocated to the association's investments and activities unless it changes its rules and allows other sports use of its grounds.

According to McCague's statement, released by Croke Park yesterday, there appears to be "a wish and an agenda to impose conditions and restrictions on the GAA alone amongst sporting organisations" and at no time has there been "any lobby or suggestion that impositions should be imposed on any other sport".

McCague argues that when justifiable funding analogous to the £60 million committed to the GAA was announced in respect to the FAI, no resistance was expressed in regard to the proposal from any other quarter: "While this funding to the FAI was absolutely justified, the reality is that it does not have the facility to share its grounds because of lack of infrastructure and dimensions. Neither has the FAI or any other sporting organisation the capital funding commitment of the GAA."

But he says the GAA - which has provided a non-pareil of investment and sporting infrastructure from its own resources - is being in selective perception and agendi asked to do so. He rejects any attempts to suggest "its role, responsibility and its authority in how it conducts its affairs should be subverted because of expediency or convenience in terms of unrelated exigencies".

The announcement earlier this month of £60 million in Government funding towards the completion of Croke Park's redevelopment over the next three years has created some heated comment from inside and outside the sporting sector. Part of the problem was that it came on the eve of the GAA Congress which included a motion to decide the contentious Rule 42.

The motion to change the rule and open Croke Park to other sports failed reach the required two-thirds majority by a single vote and it was later revealed that certain county delegates voted against the motion after being influenced by the announcement of new funding.

In addition, the Tanaiste, Mary Harney, subsequently said the Government had an obligation to taxpayers to require the GAA to open their grounds to other sports if they are to get the £60 million in grants pledged by the Taoiseach.

McCague also goes to some length in recording the position of the GAA's overall investment. The Croke Park investment of £190 million is contributing £30 million to the exchequer, and it contributes much more in terms of investment in its 2,000 clubs, county and provincial grounds around the country.

"No other sporting organisation has returned more to the exchequer in terms of direct investment and the multiplier effect. It also makes a unique and singular contribution to the health, sporting, social and cultural fabric of this country and among the Irish abroad. Despite this it is being targeted through selective and unworthy agendi."

Finally, he states the GAA has nearly one million members, provides for six sports, and conducts over 5,000 games on a weekly basis: "Its role is to provide for these games and administer these sports in accordance with its rules and policies."

Meanwhile, the Gaelic Players Association announced yesterday they have appointed a professional actuarial practice to complete a comprehensive study relating to the economic welfare affects on players participating at intercounty level.