Cooney stands firm

GAA presidential hopeful Christy Cooney is unequivocal on opening up Croke Park. He spoke to Jim O’Sullivan.

GAA PRESIDENTIAL candidate Christy Cooney is strongly opposed to opening up Croke Park to other sports - and believes that changing Rule 42 is the sole preserve of Congress.

Chairman of the Youghal club and an executive in FÁS, he is fervent in his belief that allowing rugby and soccer into Croke Park would seriously dilute the uniqueness of the GAA brand. Furthermore, he argues that it would increase pressure to pay players and holds firmly to the view that it would not be possible to ‘ring fence’ Croke Park.