Money may call shots on Croker
Revealing that the issue will not be debated at next month's annual congress in Belfast, he said:
"When the GAA decides that money is going to become more important than their core values, then they will go down that road. But, as long as the rules are the way they are, we will obviously continue to address ourselves to working within those rules and keeping stadiums for our own games.
"The core values of our association are the promotion of our games and our charter sets out what we are about and the rules are framed to uphold that charter.
Speaking at the press launch of DG Liam Mulvihill's report, Mr McCague explained the only motion calling for a change of policy on the matter to come before the vetting committee was that which had been ruled out of order last year.
He pointed out that he had allowed a discussion on that motion from Clare, initiated by current trustee Noel Walsh, through his Miltown Malbay club in the interests of fair play.
"I felt it would be perceived that I was trying to bury it, but I wasn't," he added. "It was pointed out last year, to the sponsor of the motion personally and to the county, as to why it was out of order. But, they sent it in exactly verbatim this year. They made no effort to put it in order," he said.
The key element in the motion was the proposal to add a new section to rule 42, to give central council the power to authorise the use of Croke Park in certain circumstances for field games other than those promoted by the association.
However, Mr McCague explained there was a clear contradiction with the first section of the rule. Additionally, it wasn't clear whether they want all venues to be opened up, or whether it would apply to Croke Park solely.
Asked about comments made by president-elect Sean Kelly in relation to the use of the stadium for other sports, Mr McCague replied: "Sean Kelly has not said anything yet as uachtaráin. If he expressed a wish rule 42 would be deleted, or changed or whatever, he will elaborate on that.
Mr Mulvihill points out in his report while a comprehensive review of the inter-county competition structure is not due to be carried out until after next year's championships, it would have to be undertaken before next October were congress to decide not to wait.
A motion formally proposing the deferment of the review until next year will be debated at congress. He is also concerned about declining populations in rural areas.
The evidence is to be seen in clubs either closing down or amalgamating in order to survive, he says.
In the area of drug-testing, he reveals that a total of 44 players were tested from 18 counties over the past year. "We would prefer if testing hadn't to be introduced into amateur games, but the finger of suspicion is pointed at any organisation which refuses to sign."
Reacting to newspaper reports about the sports council introducing a standardised penalty for athletes who failed a test, Mr Mulvihill said that the GAA had not been consulted. And, he said any decisions that may arise in relation to penalties will be a matter for the association only.
In relation to the Guinness sponsorship of the All-Ireland hurling championship, which has been questioned recently on ethical grounds, Mr Mulvihill acknowledged that there had been some minor criticism last year.
"The more recent noises have come from political sources, or whatever. They have not come from directly within the GAA. I'm sure Guinness will not be happy with some of the comments made, but we will be talking to them in due course."
Elsewhere in his report, he questions the commitment of members to the Irish language.
"The GAA seems to be reflecting the general apathy in Irish society. We seem to have got more materialistic," he said. Making a case for the appointment of full-time administrators in every county, he again stressed the association had a clear policy in regard to the televising of their games.
"As an organisation that depends entirely on the home scene for the selling of our games, we can't go for a pay-for-view option," he said.
