Quinn says change to Rule 42 is unlikely

CONGRESS COUNTDOWN: Peter Quinn last night admitted that no amendment to Rule 42 is likely at this weekend's GAA Congress in Dublin. "People are still uncertain about the implications of opening Croke Park to other sports at the moment," said Quinn, who chaired the GAA's Strategic Review Committee (SRC) and is also a former president of the association.

Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time, Quinn also stated that the general mood had changed from this time last year, when a similar motion to amend Rule 42 and allow Central Council the power to open Croke Park to other sports was narrowly defeated.

"I do believe the motion will be defeated again, and that the majority of members will conclude that this is not the time to make a change. There is even greater concern now because of the things that have happened in the last year."

Although the SRC made a recommendation in its report that Central Council should be permitted to decide on the availability of the stadium for other major international events, it also recommended that any decision should be deferred until the new pitch has been given adequate time to settle.

"My own personal view is that vetoes are not any great advantage to any organisation," added Quinn. "The SRC did come to the conclusion that Croke Park should be opened up after examining the whole spectrum, from opening nothing to opening everything, and it was virtually unanimous that other club or county grounds should not be opened.

"We only made the recommendation in relation to Croke Park. One of the things that has changed from last year, though, is the concern over the state of the pitch and the deterioration last year, and the residents in the area as well. But I still believe the decision should be taken by Central Council rather than be covered by a rule."

Meanwhile, there is still some confusion about whether the rule will be debated at congress. Earlier in the week, it seemed that the Clare motion would be withdrawn and the issue deferred, but now the motion seems certain to get an airing.

According to GAA PRO Danny Lynch, the path is clear for the Clare motion to be raised tomorrow morning. Nor does he envisage any late change to that scenario.

"As things stand, the motion is still on the agenda and on that basis it will be debated. Unless that scenario changes, there will be some decision made," said Lynch.

"And the only ones now with any authority over the motion are Clare, and they have made it quite clear that the motion stands and they intend to stand by it."

This evening's opening session, which includes a meeting of Central Council, won't have any influence on the motion. "The Central Council meeting will deal with some appeals," says Lynch, "and a company report, and things like that. There is nothing in there that can affect the debate on Rule 42, and Central Council wouldn't have the authority anyway."

Only some unknown scenario, including the chance of an intervention by president Seán McCague, would put the debate on hold in line with the SRC report.

After originally drafting their own motion in support of the amendment (subsequently withdrawn), Kildare are undecided and according to county PRO Syl Merrins their stance will remain undecided until tomorrow morning.

"Last year it was left to the delegates to listen to the debate and decide then what way to go on the voting," says Merris. "I expect something similar to happen here if it does go to the floor."