Clare committed to Rule 42 motion

The Clare County Board remains fully committed to their motion to amend Rule 42 at this weekend's GAA Congress in Dublin. Despite an apparent reduction in support for the proposal to allow Croke Park to be opened to other sports on the authority of Central Council, the attitude in Clare is far from defeatist.

A full County Board meeting on Tuesday night, attended by some 90 delegates, saw the motion once again receive unanimous support, after which both the county chairman and county secretary reiterated the county's intentions to propose the motion.

"It was made crystal clear on Tuesday night that the motion should go ahead as planned," explained Clare PRO Des Crowe.

"The motion wasn't actually on the meeting agenda, but came up as any other business and there wasn't a word of animosity about it.

"There has been some talk about pressure to withdraw the motion but this was always a Clare motion, never a personal thing, and it is definitely on the clár. The important thing now is not whether it wins or losses but that the democratic process is followed."

There is belief in Clare, however, that the actual debate could be held back along with the SRC Report: "There is a genuine feeling that some sort of compromise may come about," says Crowe.

"It's fairly well known that this is a General Election issue as well. Seán McCague is keeping his cards close to his chest but we do envisage some sort of compromise."

What is now clear is that the Clare motion, drafted by the St Joseph's club in Milltown Malbay, remains the sole proposal to amend Rule 42 following Kildare's withdrawal of a similar motion earlier this week. It is understood, however, that Kildare will now be among those supporting Clare.

Whatever the outcome it will be known on Saturday morning, as the Clare motion (4) will be to the fore of the morning session that starts at 10 a.m.

The Kildare motion was originally due to have preceded it.

The presidential vote will also take place on the Saturday morning, and following the withdrawal of Noel Walsh from the race, the way appears clear for Seán Kelly to become the first Kerry president of the GAA.

Paddy Powers have released their odds on how Congress will vote on Saturday: 1-3: Seán Kelly (Kerry); 11-2: Albert Fallon (Longford); 6-1: PJ McGrath (Mayo); 14-1: Séamus Aldridge (Kildare). Singles accepted - Odds subject to Fluctuation.