Opening up of Croke Park ‘threatens to split GAA in Ulster’

ULSTER GAA secretary Danny Murphy has warned the decision to open up Croke Park for rugby and soccer threatens to divide the Association in the province.

Its standing may never been as high and respect for it is "undiminished", he states, but "it's not as united as it was." And it's all down to discontent at several decisions which have continued to "bedevil" relationships.

Mr Murphy makes the comments in his report to next week's annual convention, in a clear reference to the decision to rent out the stadium before the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road gets under way.

"The Association is a democratic one and the wishes of our membership have to be respected.

"But aspects of the decision on Rule 42 have left part of our Association disillusioned by the Congress decision and latterly by the decision of Ard Comhairle.

"Ulster has from the foundation of the GAA been a united entity but as a consequence of the outcomes of recent decisions we have been divided by our Association on several matters,'' he adds.

Another of these matters relates to the establishment of the Central Disciplinary Committee, one of two separate committees which replaced the old GAC. However, the Ulster Council doesn't have a representative and, given that part of their brief is organising their (Ulster) senior championships, he says, "this is unacceptable." He also has concerns in relation to the operations of the Disputes Resolution Authority. While regarding this as a welcome move which in the long term he should assist in the correct application of the rules he worries that the current arrangements "are tending to have a review of every decision and appeal."

This may not serve anyone's interests, but, on balance he is satisfied that the DRA is "fundamentally a sound concept."