Who are the ball bigots in Ireland now?

FOLLOWING the GAA’s decision to allow other sports into Croke Park, it’s worth recalling that in 1971, when Rule 27 was removed, the IRFU agreed to encourage hurling and football in traditionally rugby-playing schools.

Unfortunately, the IRFU didn’t keep their promise. On the contrary, the rugby establishment reinforced its hostility to the playing of Gaelic games - yet the Irish media have never challenged or criticised the IRFU stance.

Neither did they call them right-wing bigots opposed to change in the same way that they labelled those opposed to changing Rule 42.