GAA’s united front on scrapping of NY stadium plans
Former board president Monty Moloney was highly critical of the move, but GAA spokesman Danny Lynch and New York board chairman Seamus Dooley stressed that all parties agreed with the stance.
Mr Lynch said: “There is no dispute between Central Council and the New York GAA board and its elected representatives.
“In fact, the statement issued by Croke Park was issued simultaneously by the New York GAA board as we both considered that it would have been irresponsible in the extreme for the association, either in a HQ context or in a New York context, to have maintained an interest in the Randall Island project.
“It would have cost the GAA a minimum of $40 million plus a minimum of $350,000 a year, in a scenario where New York City Council could have terminated their licence on an annual basis,” he added.
“It would be stupid to suggest that people like Peter Quinn, international financier Tony Hanahoe, former Dublin All-Ireland winning captain and prominent solicitor, Sean Kelly and Nicky Brennan are acting irresponsibly, or not in the interest of the GAA in New York.
“The bottom line is that the GAA were the only ones who brought money to the table. They were the only people who are not operating for personal gain.
“They were the only people who are expected to take all the risk and all the pain, but I think their track record in management ensured that the right decision was taken and that when, eventually, a facility is provided for in New York, it will be for the right reasons and with the right people.”
Seamus Dooley, Chairman of the New York county board said: “We are 100% behind the decision. We work tirelessly with Croke Park and they work tirelessly with us. There is no way, nor no how, that there was any disagreement.
“Our next step is to take it to club delegates, and our suggestion is to do what Croke Park has done and withdraw our interest in the project.”
Meanwhile, the Ulster Council yesterday launched a modernisation programme that involve the most significant investment in the Ulster GAA, since its formation in 1903.
The three-year programme, worth e11m, will see the main county grounds floodlit, while the investment will also support the recent appointment of administrators and hurling and football development officers in each of the nine counties.
Northern Ireland’s sports council is investing approximately e6.5 million in these projects.
Ulster Council chairman Micheál Greenan said: “As the Ulster Council now moves confidently into its second century, we are in the process of introducing our latest strategic plan, which will plot our course for the next five years.”
The plan, covering the period from 2006 to 2010, inclusive, is entitled ‘Beir Bua Nua’.
“In Ulster we have always been proud of and have valued our GAA unity of purpose. ‘Beir Bua Nua’ will help us develop that and build a GAA across the nine counties that is strong, successful and above all meaningful to people at the local level.”
Limerick show two changes, meanwhile, from the team that drew with Tipperary, for Sundays’s visit to Galway in round 2 of the NHL.
Mark Foley makes his first appearance of the season, at left corner back, while Brian Begley, introduced as a sub against Tipperary, starts at full forward. Out go Sean O’Connor and Neil Collins. There are also several positional changes.
Galway boss Conor Hayes is hopeful that some of his ‘wounded’ will be available for the match.
Galway were without several of their side when they were defeated by Antrim on Sunday, and, while they will again be understrength for Sunday’s encounter, Hayes and his selectors are hoping to have a bigger squad to chose from.
Players like wing-back David Hardiman and centre-forward David Forde may be returned from injury, while midfielder David Tierney, who starred for Loughrea in the All-Ireland Junior football final at Croke Park, on Sunday, should also be available for this mouth-watering affair.
Selector Gerry Dempsey said Galway are waiting to see how many were available before naming a side.
“We have quite a few involved in colleges games as well this week but hopefully we won’t pick up any more injuries.
“Sunday’s game is vital for both sides, as neither of us won our opening game. At least Limerick got a draw against Tipp, but we were very disappointed with our display.
“Sunday gives us a chance to correct a few things and hopefully get back to winning ways, but we will get nothing easy against Limerick,” said Dempsey.
: B. Murray; D. Reale, T.J. Ryan, M. Foley, O. Moran, B. Geary, M. O’Riordan, D. O’Grady, D. Moloney, M. O’Brien, P. O’Grady, N. Moran, A. O’Shaughnessy, B. Begley, M. Keane.
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