GAA may still review Croker deal

THE GAA is not prepared to speculate on the possible fall-out from a serious delay in the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road beyond admitting that in this eventuality, they would have to review the current agreement.

The deal in question permits six international rugby and soccer games to be played in Croke Park next year.

While new President Nickey Brennan has admitted to "serious concerns" over possible delays in the planning process, Director General Liam Mulvihill yesterday dismissed the view that it might be difficult to dislodge rugby and soccer "once they got their foot in the door".

"I wouldn't accept that. I don't like speculating about it at this stage," he commented.

Mr Mulvihill pointed out that in his Congress address on Saturday, the new President responded to fears that Lansdowne Road could be closed and that there would be no intention of having a redevelopment if a certain set of circumstances were to come about.

"That would be that the planning would be very slow. Or that the planning would be refused," he said. "But, none of us can look ahead and foresee what's going to happen in that regard."

Mr Brennan told delegates that they would review the policy on Rule 42 if and when necessary. Echoing specific concerns aired by Cork delegate Bob Honohan at the opening session of Congress on Friday night, he stressed their contract with the IRFU and the FAI was only for 2007.

"When we sit down to negotiate for the use of Croke Park beyond 2007, I will expect to see clear, tangible evidence that the planning process relating to Lansdowne Road is making progress. The decision to set aside Rule 42 during the redevelopment of the ground was on the understanding that planning permission would be secured at some stage in 2006 and that work would commence in 2007," Mr Brennan stated.

"That may well happen but recent reports make me seriously concerned at possible delays in the planning process. The Central Council will be kept fully briefed on the matter and I remain strongly committed to honouring the decision of last year's Congress, but if circumstances change which are not of our making, then the matter will have to be reviewed, by you (Congress) if necessary."

Bob Honohan said afterwards he had been reassured by what he heard from the new president. "Cork's position is that they feel the motion as passed at Congress 2005 is not being implemented. It was quite clear from all the contributions last year that the period for which Croke Park would be opened would not be indefinite. There'd be no argument if planning permission is granted this year and if work is started."

Other than the president offering this reassurance, Mr Mulvihill said that he would not read anything more into what was said by him, commenting: "He is well aware that there is just a one-year agreement and we were expecting signs of commitment (from the IRFU). And, in fairness, there have been signs. The planning application has gone in and there have been requests for further information which will obviously delay it. It's in the hands of the authorities at that stage and we have to be understanding. After what we have gone through at Croke Park, we are well aware of the technicalities and the vagaries of the whole planning process."

At the same time, they had to be loyal to the commitments given to the membership, to the understandings that were given.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulvihill said that the membership would welcome the president's clear statement as to where he stood in relation to the GPA.

"He (Brennan) made it very clear that player welfare is going to be a very major part of his presidency and that's player welfare in the widest sense - he was talking about all players in the association, not just those at inter-county level," Mr Mulvihill said.

"He is also concerned about the number of club games and the number of games for the ordinary club player, which was an issue I raised in my report. He has a lot of thoughts with regard to that.

"Progress can only be made through reorganising the national leagues, reorganising the championships and taking a serious overall look at every aspect of the competitions programme. One of his terms of reference for the new Games Administration Committee is to come up with a 'rolling programme' to do the planning of the fixtures programme over a two-year period.

"One of his ambitions is that the whole inter-county programme would be tightened up during his presidency. But, he is sensible to know that there is a lot of work to be done and it means getting to the heart of all these competitions. There's a big task pulling it all together."