Croker opening set for re-airing

TWELVE months on from the landmark decision to open up Croke Park to rugby and soccer, another issue will dominate this weekend’s annual GAA Congress, in the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney.

The most important matter to occupy the thoughts and minds of delegates from Ireland and abroad will be the interim report of the Rule Book Task Force which advocates a new step-by-step disciplinary structure.

However, based on recent rumblings in Cork and criticism from other quarters, it’s considered probable that the Central Council decision to give the go-ahead for two competitive rugby internationals and three European soccer internationals to be played in Croke Park next year will be questioned.

The understanding is that if the matter is to be raised it will be at the Central Council meeting tonight, which will precede the formal opening of Congress. That’s the belief of GAA Director General Liam Mulvihill.

“There was never any doubt about what Congress decided. It would be just a question of people asking whether Central Council were within their rights or not,” he said.

Dealing with the issue in his annual report, he wrote that the democratic decision of Congress was given effect by the Central Council in December of last year. By that time the IRFU and the FAI had applied for the use of Croke Park in 2007 - on the basis planning permission for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road would be lodged early this year and the ground would require to be closed in 2007.

The decision to accede to the joint request from the other sporting bodies (who were required to give notice of their fixtures arrangements a year in advance) was taken on the basis of the motion agreed at Congress. That read: “Central Council shall have the power to authorise the use of Croke Park for games other than those controlled by the Association during a temporary period when Lansdowne Road Football Ground is closed for the proposed development”.

That was the principle under which the decision was reached.

Sean Kelly welcomed it as “a positive decision” at the time, “consistent with the spirit of the decision taken by Congress last April”.

The basis on which Central Council’s decision has been questioned relates to the agreement made to allow rugby and soccer internationals be played in Croke Park before the actual redevelopment work starts.

Interestingly, incoming President Nickey Brennan alluded to this issue in comments made at a media briefing immediately after his election.

“At a particular point in time, bulldozers will move into Lansdowne Road and we will obviously have some idea, maybe 12 months in advance. But, to be fair to anybody who might want this (Croke Park), you’re probably looking at least a year in advance to plan such a process. “There will be an agreed date when the facility will be made available, based on a commitment to start building in Lansdowne Road and there will be a known end date when that is going to be done. It will be during that period of time and that time only. After that it (the rule) will revert to the status quo.

“Let there be no ambiguity about that whatsoever. I want to be quite unequivocal on that matter,’ he said.

Whatever reservations some people might have about the Central Council decision last December, it’s felt that the real issue that will confront the GAA is what will happen in 2008 if objections hold up the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

Of more immediate concern to the leadership will be the debate on the Rule Book Task Force, who have made a lot of wide-ranging - and complex - recommendations. The key one will be the establishment of a new disciplinary structure, which will include the maintaining of a Competitions Control Committee and a Hearings Committee at county, provincial and national levels.

It’s proposed that current 12-week suspensions (for specific offences, in future to be referred to as “infractions”) be reduced to eight weeks and other suspensions would carry a heavier penalty. For instance, the committee recommend the doubling of penalties for repeat infractions within a 48-week period and that it should operate right across the board.

Liam Keane - a solicitor and member of the Meath executive - points out that the disciplinary system they recommend is “simpler, more streamlined and easier to administer”.

“It is also fairer from the point of view against whom action is being taken and if it’s followed properly, there won’t be as much scope for error,” he explained.

Liam Mulvihill’s view that this set of recommendations will be the most significant business to be conducted at Congress is echoed by Nickey Brennan.

“A presentation has already been made to county officers in Croke Park. In fairness to the delegates, it’s not material that you could just throw at them,” he said, cautioning that there could be implications if the report is not adopted.

Mr Mulvihill, meanwhile, believes that the new president is ideally placed to be taking over at a time when the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is actively campaigning on the grants issue and a number of other matters.

“The fact that Nickey is a hurling man and was a well-known player and team manager means that he well understands the players and their needs and aspirations,” he stated.

“He has been portrayed as having a very difficult role to play with the GPA but I would have thought that he is the ideal person for that role.”