Croker move 'would reflect well on GAA'

OPENING up Croke Park to rugby and soccer would allow the GAA to show itself "in the most favourable way possible" by supporting ecumenism in sport, Tipperary County Board chairman Donal Shanahan said last night.

Speaking to delegates at the annual convention in the Thurles Sarsfields centre, he said such a move would also ensure sports fans could follow Irish teams without the inconvenience of having to travel abroad.

Mr Shanahan rejected views that hurling standards in the county were at an all-time low - pointing out that the co-operation of the clubs was an essential element in the preparation of their inter-county teams - and he expressed regret at fellow officers being "castigated" at the recent football board convention.

Mr Shanahan said that when people talked about "opening" Croke Park, they were talking about rugby and soccer. Expressing a wish for "closure" on the matter, he said he expected other sporting bodies would ask the Central Council about using the stadium. "If this were to happen, the GAA would receive a huge amount of goodwill and would also benefit financially," Mr Shanahan said.

"There has been a lot of talk and some debate about whether the Association should display its magnificent stadium and spectator facilities to Europe and to the rest of the world, by allowing sports followers and players of other games, who are representing our country to avail of our asset - while awaiting the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road."

"Delegates will appreciate there are financial experts in the GAA who would ensure the price would be at market value for any hiring out of our facilities. That income could be used for many purposes, but it would be to support the work of Cumann Luthchleas Gael and nothing else.

"It is worth noting also that many of the people that support these sports are members of Cumann Luthchleas Gael. If there is ever a request for Croke Park to be hired out for international events it should be looked at in reasonable way and be given favourable consideration - provided that it is for limited period only."

Referring to the defeat of the senior hurlers by Waterford in the Munster championship, Mr Shanahan said it was implied subsequently that the team's preparation had been hindered by the demands of the county championship.

"If supporters want the team to do well, they must get total co-operation from the clubs, and that includes occasional sacrifices," he said.

Mr Shanahan said he didn't share the "prevailing view from the ditch that our hurling standards are at an all-time low. Nobody said so when our under-21 team defeated Cork in the Munster final or when the senior team lost to Waterford by a point, or when our minors went within a puck of a ball of winning a fourth Munster title in a-row."

Turning to football and what he described as the 'impasse' following the team's withdrawal from the qualifier competition, the chairman said that was history. He was more concerned with the future and looked to their "new dynamic, energetic and enthusiastic selection committee" under the leadership of Seamus McCarthy to maximise their players' potential.

Wishing new football board chairman Pete Savage and his committee well, he said he hoped they would all move forward 'in a positive manner' and restore football in Tipperary to its rightful place as serious contenders in all grades at provincial level.

"As regards my own position as chairman of the board, I will not be resigning and I don't expect at this point and time any of my fellow officers will either."

Referring to Tuesday night's football board convention, Mr Shanahan said: "It was with a heavy heart that I returned home from the convention on Tuesday night last as result of the manner in which many of my fellow officers both at Divisional and County level were castigated.

"This great organisation is carried along on the backs of many, who give their time and energy to make it work and prosper. They do so because of their love of the Association, and they do so with the best of intentions. To question these intentions, to denigrate their work, to insult them in what they do, is to set oneself up as an arbiter of what it right, as one who has a monopoly of virtue. There is no place in our Association for such a stand."