GAA should not be blamed if Croker stays shut, says Cooney

THE GAA can’t be held accountable if Irish supporters have to travel to Britain to attend ‘home’ soccer and rugby internationals in the event of the Association refusing to open up Croke Park to other sports.

That’s the view of Christy Cooney, who will challenge for the Presidency at next month’s Congress, which will decide on motions from 11 counties calling for a change in Rule 42.

Former Munster chairman Cooney, who is going head-to-head with outgoing Leinster chairman Nicky Brennan, believes it would be a folly for the GAA to make such a radical change.

He is opposed to making Croke Park available to rugby and soccer, even for the duration of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. And he is adamant that Congress - and not Central Council, as is proposed in the primary motions for Congress - should have the say whether or not policy should be altered.

Cooney insists his views have nothing to do with rugby and soccer, or about the “tag of foreign games”. He believes the Association should do nothing to “risk diluting their greatest marketing tool” - Croke Park.

“Would it be signalled as a GAA stadium any more, or would it be perceived as the National Stadium?’’ he asks.

Additionally, he believes it would not be possible to “ring fence” Croke Park in the event of Congress agreeing to let rugby and soccer be played in their stadium.

He says a change of policy would pose huge problems for club grounds. And he speaks as chairman of his home club in Youghal, through which he followed his late father Paddy into administration as a delegate to the Cork County Board.

Cooney is equally strong in resisting moves towards a professional or semi-professional game, which he says the Association would be unable to fund. But his opposition is based on what it would do to the voluntary and community ethic on which the GAA is based.

Meanwhile, Limerick GAA chiefs are to revisit an earlier decision to say ‘no’ to the opening of Croke Park to soccer and rugby.

Board chairman Denis Holmes confirmed another discussion was likely to be aired at this evening’s monthly meeting.

“Our initial understanding was that all motions relating to Rule 42 at Congress were for the opening of Croke Park to soccer and rugby indefinitely. We have since heard at least one of the motions will stipulate the national stadium be made available to rugby and soccer for a two-year period while reconstruction work is taking place at Lansdowne Road.

“That makes for a different scenario and if there is a request from clubs that we vote again on the issue, it will have to at least receive consideration.”

At the annual convention, Limerick voted overwhelmingly against opening up Croke Park.

It is also believed tonight’s meeting will agree on an interim manager for the senior hurling team. Pat Herbert and Joe McKenna remain front runners, but it is thought clubs will ask for more time. Holmes said the executive planned to put a proposal before the meeting, but declined to reveal what they had in mind.

One source said: “The good money is on a temporary replacement for Padjoe Whelahan.

“Don’t rule out any one of five who were involved with the team in recent years returning for a short period to get Limerick out of their present mess. Given the county’s past record with managers, they will not want to be seen to rush into anything. ”This time they simply must get it right.”