GAA: Walshe withdraws bid for GAA presidency

Sean Kelly’s campaign for the presidency of the GAA at this weekend’s annual congress received a boost yesterday after GAA trustee Noel Walshe withdrew from the race.

Walshe will now concentrate on the motion to change Rule 42, which he initiated through his home club, St Joseph’s of Co Clare.

Should Rule 42 be overturned, the authority governing the use of Croke Park for "foreign" sports would pass into the hands of the GAA’s central council, a move that would increase the possibility of soccer and rugby games in the Dublin stadium.

The motion submitted by Mr Walshe takes on added significance given Ireland’s joint bid to host the European Championships in 2008 and the continuing controversy surrounding the Stadium Ireland project.