Now the talking begins
While Saturday’s meeting of the GAA Central Council gave the go-ahead for negotiations with the IRFU and the FAI for the playing of competitive international fixtures in GAA headquarters, it’s based on the understanding there will be no delay in the planning application in regard to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.
In the event of the rugby ground not being closed in 2007 - as envisaged - it’s accepted that the process of “opening up” Croke Park in about 15 months time would have to be re-examined.
This matter was addressed by Cork representative Bob Hononan at Saturday’s meeting, who briefed delegates at yesterday’s Cork Convention. He made it clear that they did not wish to “undo” what Congress had decided but wanted to ensure that Croke Park would only be made available during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. Their argument was the Congress policy did not allow for rugby and soccer to be played in Croke Park if planning permission is not received by 2007.
Incoming President Nicky Brennan reassured delegates that this situation would be monitored “during his watch.”
Veteran Clare administrator Noel Walsh, one of the strongest advocates over the last decade for the opening up of Croke Park, echoed the Cork view when contacted yesterday. Saying that the Congress decision should be strictly adhered to, he agreed nothing should happen with regard to the playing of rugby and soccer in Croke Park until the reconstruction of Lansdowne Road takes place.
The GAA’s Director-General Liam Mulvihill views the decision reached on Saturday by the Central Council - which agreed the principle that senior competitive rugby and soccer internationals could be staged in Croke Park - as a natural progression from the majority view of the counties to temporarily suspend Rule 42.
“Effectively the decision had been taken by the counties at Congress last April,’’ he commented.
Central Council had been given “a strong mandate to help out” in the eventuality of Lansdowne Road being closed for redevelopment and, on the best advice available to them, this will happen in 2007.
At the same time, he emphasised that all that had been decided on Saturday was to give the go-ahead to the negotiators to meet with the two sporting bodies and work out an agreement. The negotiating team, yet to be finalised, will comprise representatives of the stadium management and members of Central Council.
The IRFU reacted speedily to the GAA announcement, welcoming the decision and saying that they looked forward to “engaging in formal discussions.” Likewise, the FAI said that they looked forward to working with the GAA in the playing of soccer internationals in Croke Park.
Mr Mulvihill stressed that there would be no interruption of the GAA’s fixtures schedule as a consequence of the staging of rugby and soccer. “The rugby games would be played early in the year and soccer later on. There will be no clash with our programme,’’ he said.
While the installation of floodlighting may be required for the staging of soccer internationals, he said that this issue has yet to be raised with them.
In a statement issued after Saturday’s in-camera meeting in Croke Park, the GAA noted that the Lansdowne Road Development Company confirmed that an application for planning permission would be lodged with Dublin City Council early in January 2006. And, the company’s planning consultants have confirmed that Lansdowne Road will be closed for all of the following year.
It also noted that the two sporting bodies were required to confirm venues for 2007 early next year with their respective international bodies.
The statement added: “On the basis that Congress decided last April that ‘Central Council shall have the power to authorise the use of Croke Park for games other than those controlled by the Association during a temporary period when Lansdowne Road is closed for the proposed development,’ the principle that senior competitive rugby and soccer internationals could take place in Croke Park in 2007 was agreed.
“This decision is subject negotiations on arrangements and terms achieving agreement between the GAA and the two sporting bodies.”
GAA president, Sean Kelly expressed his pleasure afterwards with the Council’s “positive decision.” It was, he pointed out, consistent with the spirit of the decision taken by Congress last April.
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