Munster Council chief warns on Croke Park

MUNSTER Council chairman Sean Fogarty is adamant that Croke Park must not host non-GAA sports until development work on Lansdowne Road commences.

Speaking ahead of a Central Council debate on the issue, taking place this afternoon, he said the notion that rugby and soccer 'could be considered for access' to the stadium prior to the work starting on rugby HQ was 'a non-runner.'

One of the first officials to publicly warn about the 'PR disaster' of the Association not agreeing to open up Croke Park, on a temporary basis, Mr Fogarty emphasised at last night's Council awards function, in Limerick, that the decision taken at Congress in relation to Rule 42 was 'very specific.'

"It cannot be treated like a piece of elastic something that you can stretch to suit a particular situation,'' he said.

Mr Fogarty also referred to the controversy that arose recently when the President of the Munster Branch, IRFU said rugby might be played in Fitzgerald Stadium because of its 'vesting status.'

"His assumption will surely qualify as own goal of the year,'' he commented.

Mr Fogarty also said he was surprised to hear a leading bookmaker suggest that 'match-fixing' could be taking place in GAA games. What he found especially dismaying, he added, was that someone could make such a statement 'without a shred of evidence.'

"It is beneath contempt. The GAA has always frowned on the practice of wagering on the result of games under its control,'' he said. "I believe that statements such as this should be challenged, as silence can be interpreted as acceptance of the claim.''

The Munster Chairman also warned of the serious consequences of introducing an 'open draw' for the All-Ireland senior championships, commenting that advocates of the system conveniently overlooked the quality of games produced in the provincial competitions.

"If we go down that road, we can disband the provincial councils. A council without income would be powerless to continue the excellent coaching schemes now in place, the grant-aiding of club and county ground developments, school and college support, to mention but a few. To try and run not alone monitor such an operation nationally from Croke Park would be a logistical nightmare.''

Acknowledging the generous sponsorship of AIB, Mr Fogarty announced that Waterford Crystal are to extend their support through the sponsorship of the new Munster senior hurling competition ('a sister competition of the McGrath Cup'). The trophy originally designed for the South-Eastern League will be on offer for the winners, together with original crystal pieces for players.

Special presentations were made to former Council Treasurer Dan Hoare and Fr. Seamus Gardiner, PRO from 1978, who also gave outstanding service in refereeing administration.

Mr Fogarty paid tribute to the memory of Kerry football legend Tim Kennelly, whose funeral takes place in Listowel this morning, saying he had 'graced the GAA fields of the country' over the course of a long and illustrious playing career.