Motions Committee: Just before the GAA Congress last April, ex-presidents who make up nearly all the members of the Motions Committee poured cold water on the eight motions set to force a vote on Rule 42.
SUNDAY
Interprovincial football championship - Semi-finals: Connacht v Ulster, Castlebar, 2.15; Leinster v Munster, Portlaoise, 3.0.
Leinster club hurling championship - Carnew Emmetts (Wicklow) v Coolderry (Offaly), Aughrim, 3.0; Naomh Brid (Carlow) v Oulart (Wexford), Carlow, 3.0; Portlaoise (Laois) v UCD (Dublin), Portlaoise, 1.30.
Ulster senior club hurling final - Rossa (Antrim) v Ballygalget (Down), Casement Park, 2.30. Ulster Intermediate hurling final - Carey Faughs (Antrim) v Eoghan Rua (Derry), Loughgiel, 2.30.
Cork SHC Final - Na Piarsaigh v Cloyne, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30.
Waterford SFC Final replay - Stradbally v Nire, Dungarvan, 3.15. Intermediate hurling final - Shamrocks v Portlaw, Dungarvan, 1.45.
In his first year as GAA president, Seán Kelly - an advocate of opening Croke Park to other sports - was dealt a body blow by his predecessors. However, the power afforded to former presidents of the GAA could be taken away.
Central Council have put forward a proposal to a Special Congress this weekend that, if accepted, would ensure old blades are blunted.
The Motions Committee's brief is to examine motions set for the clár at Congress and decide whether they are in order. They have the power to reject motions with the slightest technical hitches. But under the new proposal, if faults are discovered, the county responsible will have the opportunity to rewrite their motion.
Last year, the most vocal of the former presidents was Jack Boothman. Fundamentally against allowing rugby or soccer in Croke Park, Boothman denies the committee ever intended to hinder democracy within the organisation.
"My interpretation of the whole scenario is that motions are to be sent in earlier, but will still be vetted by the motions committee. If they are not acceptable, they will have to be sent back in again. They still have to get the motions right though.
"If it's on the clár it has to be discussed. The impression that the ex-presidents don't want items discussed is untrue.
"We just want a fully democratic process. Last year, the media seized on it as another example of bigotry, and a few even harsher words were used."
The Wicklow native - who served as president from 1994-1997 - also denies being from an age when soccer and rugby were considered works of the devil. However, he still sees them as a threat to the very fabric of life within the GAA.
"It has nothing to do with the ban mentality or the garrison game attitude. From a business point of view, it makes no sense to surrender our chief asset to our opponents. I've played all games in my life, I just prefer Gaelic games, and as (a former) president of the association I feel the need to protect it."
But what about the financial implications? Don't the GAA need every penny they can get to pay off the massive 60 million debt?
"If we get our 40 million off the Government - and I say if - there is no financial problem," says Boothman. "We are reselling 10-year tickets for the Cusack side of the ground.
"With that, there are no financial problems at all. I can't see a financial reason to let them (soccer and rugby) into Croke Park."
Boothman believes that to let the hugely popular rival sports into Croke Park would be detrimental to the blossoming of Gaelic games. It comes down to nationalism. The GAA cannot compete with the national pride generated by international events like World Cup qualifiers or the Six Nations.
"We are losing ground everywhere," he insists. "Unfortunately, we don't have an international stage. Within Ireland, rugby and especially soccer are no competition, but we cannot afford to give our main asset away.
"Compromise rules are attractive, what with players wearing the Irish jersey, but it is just a novelty."
Even if Rule 42, the use of GAA property, is overturned at Congress - as it so nearly was in 2001 - Boothman was quick to point out that rules four and five are still a hindrance to swinging open the Jones's Road gates.
"What people seem to forget is that Rule 42 has no relevance in opening up Croke Park. Read the first five rules and you will understand.
"To use Croke Park would require the writing of a whole new rule, which would be a historic event in itself.
"I have no argument with democracy, but I won't agree opening up Croke Park.
"I would be against this as it is against what I have stood for all my life."
Nevertheless, if Saturday's proposal is accepted, next year's annual Congress in Croke Park could be the stage for an intense debate on the future path of the association.
