Rule 42 - Debate on changes is now long overdue

THE GAA decision to allow debate on the question of opening up Croke park to rugby and soccer deserves to be loudly applauded.

There is no doubt the credibility of the democratic process within the association was at stake. Much to the credit of the organisation's president Sean Kelly, there will no repeat of last year's rejection of motions on Rule 42 which bans foreign sports in GAA grounds.

A two-thirds majority will be required at the annual congress in April if the door is to be opened to foreign sports.