Gaelic Games NewsCroke Park's availability for soccer and rugby internationals in 2007 isn't entirely a done deal despite the GAA's Central Council decision on Saturday to grant a request from the IRFU and FAI to rent the ground.

The ambiguity arises from the terms of the motion under which Rule 42 was relaxed at last April's annual congress. The text passed was as follows: "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 Football Ground is closed for the proposed development."

Reservations were expressed at the weekend as to when Lansdowne Road could be deemed "closed for the proposed development". Delegates were assured that the matter was being raised now in order to help the FAI and IRFU comply with requirements to list their fixtures a year in advance.

It was on this basis that Central Council agreed to accede to the requests. There were, however, reservations expressed about a situation arising in which Lansdowne Road was still intact and awaiting planning permission next year.

"A number of delegates raised that concern," according to one source present at the meeting, which was held in camera. "While there was general sympathy with the need for the FAI and IRFU to finalise their dates there was also a strong feeling that the matter would have to be revisited if the Lansdowne Road planning permission doesn't come through."

It is also believed that the GAA's Management Committee, which had earlier debated the requests, initially split on whether to give the go-ahead for soccer and rugby internationals before backing the proposals after further discussions.

There is scepticism about the Lansdowne Road development schedule. The IRFU have given assurances that planning permission will be obtained by the start of 2007, thus necessitating the use of Croke Park. But by the time objections and appeals are factored in, the whole procedure could take a lot longer.

Assuming the proposed timetable holds, the availability will be subject to the organisations agreeing rental fees and conditions. There was a significant straw in the wind concerning those negotiations at Saturday's Central Council meeting.

President-elect Nicky Brennan didn't speak until after the vote was carried (by a margin of about six to one among the 50 or so delegates) but he then said that he would trust GAA director general Liam Mulvihill and PRO Danny Lynch to conduct these talks.

This is a change of emphasis from current president Seán Kelly, whose term has four months to run, whose comments to this newspaper suggested that stadium director Peter McKenna, who has conducted the rental negotiations for other events such as concerts and even this year's Ulster final.

Other issues discussed included the violent scenes at October's second International Rules test in Melbourne. A statement from the GAA ran: "Considerable disquiet was expressed at violent incidents which took place in the Test Series in Australia this year. It was agreed that these incidents were unacceptable and if there was a repeat, the series would have to be discontinued. It was decided however to defer a decision on the current motions until after county conventions where the issue will be discussed in most counties."

It was also stated that a survey of attitudes towards the series amongst players and managers would be undertaken in the New Year. Opposition to the under-17 series was also expressed.

Dónal Ó Grady and John Allen were nominated as the respective team managers of the 2004 and 2005 All Star teams due to play in Singapore next month.