Kelly clarifies Croker decision

THERE is no question of Croke Park remaining open indefinitely to rugby and soccer in the event of the IRFU not being able to proceed with their planned redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

GAA President Sean Kelly offered this reassurance yesterday to members who are concerned by the speed of the GAA's Central Council to make the stadium available in a year's time - for a fee which could surpass €1 million per game.

Mr Kelly emphasised that the motion passed at Congress last April specified that Croke Park would be made available while Lansdowne Road "is closed for redevelopment".

Former President Peter Quinn, a central figure in the redevelopment of Croke Park, articulated the concern expressed both privately and publicly over the weekend. "My understanding of the Congress motion (and I wasn't present) is very clear - that it applies during the period of construction of Lansdowne Road.

"I don't know if Saturday's decision has changed that, or it was 'a facilitating decision' - in the event that the IRFU get permission they start work in 2007, or whether Croke Park will be made available irrespective,'' he commented.

Mr Quinn remains a member of the Croke Park Stadium Development Committee, but is not a member of the Management Committee - which means that his financial expertise is unlikely to be availed of unless he is brought in as advisor.

Asked what he thought the renting of Croke Park would be worth to the Association, he replied: "It all depends on what the bottom line is. But, from the GAA's point of view they could be getting a seven figure sum, in other words a million-plus."

Mr Kelly explained that on the best available information from the top planning authorities, Lansdowne Road will be closed the year after next for redevelopment.

"We have a commitment now to open Croke Park in 2007. Obviously if the situation changes, or if they were to change their plans, it could not be opened indefinitely. There's no doubt about that.

"But, all the indications are that Lansdowne Road will be closed and we had to more or less take a leap of faith in that regard. And, that's what Central Council did.

"There is another way of looking at that. If you refused to give them permission now (until Lansdowne Road is closed for redevelopment), then you would not be in a position to put into operation what was passed at Congress. The two sporting bodies have to give notice of the venues for games to their governing bodies a year in advance.

"If that didn't happen, the games would have to be played abroad - even though Lansdowne Road would be closed. And we didn't want that either."

Pointing out yesterday that he had not taken part in Saturday's debate, incoming President Nicky Brennan explained that he would not be commenting publicly on the issue until he takes over in four months time. But, he said he made a promise to Central Council he would come back to them if, at any stage, he was uncomfortable about the way things were going.

"With two senior officials like Liam Mulvihill and Danny Lynch, and myself, I feel we have enough expertise around to guide us through the process," he commented.

However, Mr Brennan made his position very clear following his election last April, when he said: "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."

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that a negotiating team is already in place, comprising members of the Croke Park Stadium Management and representatives of the Central Council.

It remains to be seen whether they will look for a flat fee for the renting of the stadium on a match-to-match basis, or whether they will look for percentage of the gate receipts (which is the way the IRFU deal with the FAI).

Any agreement will include the Premium Level and corporate suites, but for box-holders who would wish to purchase tickets for international games, their contract details will determine whether this will be possible or not. It's understood that companies which leased boxes from the beginning are likely to benefit in this regard.