Cooney set for top job

CHRISTY COONEY is set to become the next president of the GAA, and the campaign to alter Rule 42 looks likely to be successful.

That’s according to a number of experienced GAA officials on the eve of a potentially historic Congress in Dublin.

Youghal man Cooney could have as much as 20 votes to spare over Kilkenny challenger Nicky Brennan in the race to succeed Sean Kelly as the next leader of the Association.

Both camps are still working hard to maximise their vote, but there are clear indications that Cooney will take crucial votes in the North and also overseas. But Cooney may not get his way on Rule 42, with the momentum for change growing.

For example, just one club - Castledaly - voted not to tamper with the rule at a special meeting of Westmeath county board on Wednesday night. A powerful majority of 46 clubs voted yes.

“There was a very strong support for change. This followed every club being asked to discuss it at club level first,” said county board chairman Seamus Whelan.

“We had a short debate but the feeling was club members had given their views and we just ascertained the result of that process.”

The Westmeath vote means all 12 Leinster counties are in favour of seeing soccer and rugby internationals played in Croke Park while the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road takes place.

In keeping with the Ulster trend, Armagh voted to retain the status quo at their meeting on Wednesday night.

However, officials would not reveal the breakdown of the vote.

Armagh carries seven votes in Congress and their decision means that 53 of Ulster’s 67 votes will be against change.

As D-day for Rule 42 approaches, informed sources say it will get the two-thirds majority needed to give Central Council the power to rent out Croke Park for soccer and rugby matches, if it so wishes.

The seven counties with Yes-type motions on the agenda are expected to meet in Dublin this evening to decide on their strategy. They are virtually certain to support a motion which calls for a temporary alteration of Rule 42 to cover the three-year period in which Lansdowne Road is redeveloped.

Cork, and Cooney, have made it known they will be opposing any change to Rule 42, and there was some speculation that Cooney might suffer a backlash from Yes counties unhappy with how Cork refused to hear the views of their clubs at Tuesday night’s meeting of the county board.

But soundings from around the country indicate Cooney is on course to become the first Cork president since Con Murphy.

“I would expect Cooney to win it by 20 votes, or maybe even a bit more,” said one GAA official, with a long record of accurate calls in the major elections.

One prominent bookmaking firm has experienced “substantial bets” on Mr Cooney succeeding Mr Kelly as president.

For the first time in 30 years, two new candidates, Cooney and Brennan, battle it out at Congress.

Six of the last eight presidents were chosen at the second attempt, while it’s unique in modern times to have just two nominated for the most prestigious office in the Association.

Apart from becoming the first Kerryman to be elected three years ago, Sean Kelly hadn’t previously stood for election. It was also a case of first-time lucky for Paddy Buggy from Kilkenny in 1981.

Paddy McFlynn was the first president-elect in 1978 (having been runner-up to Con Murphy in 1976). And Dr Mick Loftus, the late John Dowling, Peter Quinn, Jack Boothman, Joe McDonagh and Sean McCague all succeeded after having lost one campaign.

Cooney, a strong opponent of opening up Croke Park, also believes that Congress - and not Central Council - should have the power to decide whether to allow rugby and soccer in the stadium. However, he has made it clear that if he is elected, a ‘pro’ vote would not create any difficulties for him.

“If the Association decides it is going to give the power to Central Council, and Central Council decide they would open Croke Park for specific reasons, I would ensure that policy is adhered to,” he said.

Brennan, a former Leinster chairman, favours a transfer of power to Central Council on any decision relating to other sports.

However, he didn’t express a personal opinion on the issue, feeling it would be wrong “to predetermine a position” because if elected president he would have to chair meetings of Central Council on the matter.

There have been three Kilkenny presidents, James Nowlan (1901 - after whom Nowlan Park is named) Bob O’Keeffe (1935 - whose memory is perpetuated by the Leinster hurling trophy) and Paddy Buggy.

Like Buggy, Brennan is an All-Ireland medal-holder, as are his brothers, Kieran and Canice.

He works for Glanbia as Group Communications and Services Manager. Cooney is the Assistant Director-General of FÁS.

Cork have had two presidents - Sean McCarthy in 1932 and Con Murphy in 1976.