GAA grant - Why can’t Croke Park play ball?

INEVITABLY, the latest grant from the Government to the GAA, worth €40 million, will re-open what is at this stage the old chestnut of whether Croke Park should be made available to soccer and rugby.

Needless to say, only the GAA is entitled to resolve that issue, especially as its president, Seán Kelly, said the money was given without any strings attached.

The FAI and the IRFU will also benefit from Government largesse to the tune of €191 million through a joint venture for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium.

During the course of that redevelopment, Ireland, in either of those codes, will not have a home ground so will have to lose that advantage by having to play “home” matches in British venues.

GAA clubs all over the country have no problem in letting out their facilities for the playing indoor soccer, which is also a handy little earner for them.

It would be commendable if this spirit of co-operation could percolate upwards to headquarters, even if only to the extent that Croke Park was made available for the duration of the Lansdowne Road redevelopment - without any strings attached, of course, beyond that.