The GAA'S decision not to allow Croke Park to be used for rugby or soccer gets widespread attention in several of the regional papers. The Limerick Leader leads with the subject.
The fact that a Limerick Central Council member, Padraig O Riain, voted against the motion while the Limerick County Board delegation voted for it has caused a problem within the board.
"He [Mr O Riain] was present in Dublin, he claimed, in his capacity as Limerick's elected representative to the Central Council, and not as a Limerick delegate," the paper says.
The Limerick board chairman, Donal Fitzgibbon, is quoted as saying: "I must say it was a PR disaster. We did not vote in a unified fashion."
The Roscommon Champion also leads with the story and reports: "The Roscommon man who tabled the Congress motion (Tommy Kenoy) [which] has sparked off a major national and political debate has told the Champion that he believes the Government pledge of £60 million to Croke Park was designed to damage his (Roscommon's) proposal."
The Roscommon Herald reports that: "Roscommon County Board is considering future options in the wake of the decision. County Board chairman, Stephen Branahan, (says) that he could not rule out the option of bringing the motion to Congress again next year".
In its editorial the Meath Chronicle says: "The diehards have managed to reinforce their own particular brand of sporting apartheid at a time when there should be no place for such bigotry in an Ireland that is maturing into a modern, grown-up nation with a pluralist society." It describes the decision as "shameful".
The Longford Leader and Sligo Champion also give the GAA story the front-page treatment. THE Nationalist and Leinster Times turns it editorial attention to libel in the wake of the Beverley Cooper-Flynn decision. It says: "There is substantial merit in the proposal to establish a Press Ombudsman as an alternative to the courts system for those with complaints about the Press".
The editorial goes on to say: "But this is the kernel of the problem - politicians. It is with our legislators that the solution for this crisis lies, yet politicians are the first to sue media outlets."
The Derry Journal reports: "Former US President, Bill Clinton, will make a return visit to Derry next month. It is understood from a reliable source that Mr Clinton will be the guest of the SDLP leader, John Hume."
The Northern Standard reports that "Dara Daly, a 22-year-old violinist from Lough Egish in Co Monaghan has succeeded in obtaining a place in the prestigious Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra for the 2001 season in Berlin."
The paper says: "Dara will join musicians from 50 countries around the world in a concert tour of Europe under the baton of Sir Neville Marriner in Summer 2001."
The Drogheda Independent reports: "A storm of protest has greeted suggestions that CIE is considering charging for carparking facilities at Drogheda Railway Station. CIE Properties, the company running the station, (has) confirmed that it has circulated an internal memo discussing the possibility of imposing car-parking fees across the country, including Drogheda."
Parking is also causing a problem in Athlone. According to the Westmeath In- dependent, "Shoppers at the Golden Island shopping centre are going to have to pay more for shopping at the facility. From next week paid parking is to be introduced at the centre. It is understood that there is angry reaction."
The Wicklow People reports that the spot in Avoca known as The Meeting of the Waters, after the title of one of Thomas Moore's melodies, has been fenced off and rendered inaccessible to visitors. Local councillor, Nicky Kelly, at a meeting of Wicklow County Council said: "The reality can be seen in the fallen and damaged trees, broken flag-stones, cracked footpaths and the general abandonment and neglect of this important tourist attraction and area of special interest. Thomas Moore would turn in his grave."
The paper also gives front-page coverage to the announcement that the Labour TD, Liam Kavanagh, will not be a candidate in the next general election.
JUDGE Mary Devins described a case at Ballinrobe District Court as the strangest that had ever come before her, according to the Western People. The court heard that a local man "ran into a hotel brandishing a chain-saw at full throttle. Terrified customers bolted for cover in the mayhem which followed the incident."
The judge ordered a probation report and adjourned the case, saying: "Anyone could have lost an arm or a leg. It was utterly bizarre and potentially very dangerous."
Five Mayo towns are in line for big improvements, according to the Mayo News. Ballinrobe, Belmullet, Claremorris, Foxford and Newport "are set to get major face-lifts following the approval by the EU of town renewal incentives", according to the paper.
The Kilkenny People tells us: "A new and exciting retail and industrial centre will make Kilkenny an even more important centre for business in the South East and beyond. The new Hebron Enterprise Park which will border the long-awaited city ring road extension is going ahead."