Are some more Irish than others?

WHAT A difference sport can make. Ireland’s victory over the world champions in Twickenham last Saturday week was enthusiastically received throughout the country and abroad. For a while, Irish people everywhere went to work with an extra spring in their step.

In a great week for Irish sport, it was therefore disappointing that the issue of opening up Croke Park was summarily dismissed before it even reached the point of debate.

In international terms the sporting community in Ireland is comparatively small. Given the close sporting links that exist in countries like France and Australia, I often despair at the lack of interaction between sporting bodies in this country.

I was brought up in a GAA household. My earliest sporting memories were of visits to the Athletic Grounds to support Cork in National League and championship encounters. My first sporting ambition was to wear a famous red jersey, not of Munster but of my native county. This ambition changed somewhat when I was introduced to rugby in CBC. However, my love of gaelic games, fostered and developed by my Kerry father, remains equally strong today. I am a great admirer of the GAA and all they have achieved. Every parish has reason to be grateful for what they have contributed to their community.

Croke Park now stands as a symbol of the Association's achievements in the sporting arena.

I have witnessed its development over the years but hadn't seen its completion until Cork reached the All-Ireland series last summer. On three occasions for the semi-final and replay against Wexford and final against Kilkenny I was privileged to be among 80,000 loyal and colourful supporters cheering their native county. The stadium is on par with the very best I have seen on the world stage. The atmosphere was better than most. It makes you proud to be Irish.

The question of whether Croke Park should be opened up to other sports has been debated extensively on radio, television and print media for some time. It is disappointing, therefore, that the only forum for debate that really matters will fail to take place this year on the back of a rules technicality.

Let me make it absolutely clear from the outset my belief that the GAA community must make the decision with regard to the future of Croke Park without interference and in the best interest of their games. It is inevitable the issue will be debated at Congress (or Central Council) at some stage. Whatever decision its members take must be accepted in the spirit it is made.

At times I get annoyed with the inference, by an admittedly small minority, who feel, for some reason, that playing rugby make you less of an Irishman. I was privileged to play for my country in a sport that represents the entire island of Ireland. In the amateur era, I played alongside and shared hotel rooms with players who worked for the RUC and the British Army. From a playing perspective it was an issue that never raised a difficulty. Their presence meant our rooms required constant surveillance from armed units of the special branch from the time we assembled for a game. It was a very unusual environment from which to prepare for international competition. Yet, everybody just got on with it.

Sacrifices were required on all sides. Of course it was disappointing to represent your country 12,000 miles from home without the reassurance of your national anthem to rival that of the opposition.

In the aftermath of these games you faced the Irish community in the Irish clubs in such places, as Wellington, Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane and you understood their disappointment and frustration at its absence. In similar circumstances, players from Britain understand that "God Save The Queen" is not played at Lions tests, as it does not represent the Irish contingent.

In the emotive debate surrounding the future of Croke Park, there are those who, for historical reasons, shake in their boots at the thought of a Union Jack flying in Croke Park. This country currently enjoys the Presidency of the EU. In that capacity during a European summit, many buildings in our capital city are adorned with the flag of Britain. So what? The flags of every other European partner are also there. Surely it is time to move on.

Over the years I have enjoyed the friendship and company of many a Cork hurler and footballer. I was also privileged to spend time with some of the Kerry team of the 1970's and 80's, the greatest team this country has produced in any code. I remember sharing many wet nights training in Cork Con with Christy Heffernan, the great Kilkenny full-forward.

While playing his club hurling with Blackrock, he frequently trained with Con during the winter months. We often stuck him into the second row with a view to slowing him down for the championship. If anything, I think we made him stronger. There was always great banter and I know he really appreciated the warmth and the welcome he received. Players from the different codes enjoyed the social interaction and always got on well. Indeed only last summer Cork hurlers used specialist training equipment borrowed from the Munster rugby squad in their preparation for the All-Ireland final.

The only thing we can say with certainty at this stage is that Irish rugby will have a new headquarters at Lansdowne Road by 2008. This new state-of-the-art facility will be available to a number of sports. The necessity, therefore, for the use of Croke Park will be diminished somewhat. Yet, I could think of no greater honour than to be involved with an Irish team that lines out against England at Croke Park. I think it would be a fantastic day for this country. Whether it ever happens will be down solely to the members of the GAA.

That is the way it should be.