THE New Stand at Croke Park was officially opened yesterday by the president of the GAA, Jack Boothman. It represents the conclusion of phase one of the stadium re-development and was finished on target and within budget. In itself, it represents the biggest modern construction project undertaken in the city of, Dublin.

The next phase is complicated by the fact that the GAA's plan to proceed to the re-building of the Canal End has been overruled by planning authorities, who have decreed that the Hill 16 terrace, four of the development

A recent ruling was made that the GAA's appeal against the stipulation was invalid because an application to change the phasing required new planning permission. The director general, Liam Mulvihill, however, is hopeful that the appeal can be re-formulated.

"We applied for a derogation from Bord Pleanala," he said, "but it was ruled ineligible. But we're hopeful of getting the new application processed. The plan is still to start demolition after the 1996 All-Ireland series. Demolition takes around two months, so we would start building around

Christmas and the New Year.

"We have planning permission for phase two and the whole project, and don't want to change the development plan, but we may be forced to seat Hill 16. But there is a strong determination to retain the Hill as a standing area.

Does that determination extend to taking the matter to the High Court, given the inevitable consequent delays to the building process?

"I don't want to say that we'll go to the High Court, I hope not. We're hopeful that this hiccup will be resolved. If it comes to a change of phasing, we've looked at options of doing it. But we re not too concerned."

Mulvihill said work would begin on the GAA museum in the New Stand before the end of the year, and acknowledged the potential impact of the Luas light transport system.

"Any upgrading of the set-up around here would be an advantage from a transport point of view. Opening the Drumcondra Road station, for instance. But we know that's not for the short term."

Earlier, around 500 had attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. Bernard Allen, the Minister for Sport, represented the Taoiseach, John Bruton, who was in London. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Sean Loftus, also addressed the gathering, and there was an ecumenical "blessing by Dr Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and patron of the GAA, and the Very Rev John Patterson, Dean, of Christ Church, who represented Most Rev Walton Empey, the Archbishop of Dublin.

Meanwhile, the local residents' association issued the following statement:

"As a special surprise on this day of the official launch of the Cusack Stand, we residents have received a letter from the Chief Superintendent of Fitzgibbon Street (Garda Station) threatening to remove our cars by force from in front of our houses in the" interests of safety and we have, not even been shown the emergency evacuation plan.

"Croke Park Residents' Association is not yet ready to celebrate. We hope the situation will improve."