GAA Congress - Delegates should take historic step

THE GAA Congress faces a number of weighty issues this weekend but none as controversial, nor as intriguing, as the fate of Rule 42.

Whether or not that rule is removed to allow rugby and soccer internationals be played there while Lansdowne Road is being refurbished will, apparently, be decided by an exceptionally close vote.

The removal of the ban would be historic, and while the preponderance of clubs throughout the country appear ready to cross this threshold for the better of the association and sport, for others it would be considered a betrayal of what the GAA stands for.