Kelly says his stance is nothing new

Gaelic Games:  GAA president Seán Kelly has reacted to criticism of him voiced at Sunday's Cork annual convention. The comments centred on the president's personal support for the opening of Croke Park to other sports.

"I wouldn't take a whole pile of notice of the personal criticisms. They come with the territory," said Kelly, speaking at yesterday's GAA end-of-year review at Croke Park. "People are entitled to their opinions and free to agree or disagree with me. I've no apologies to make about making my position clear."

He pointed out that his stance on Rule 42 (the provision in the official guide used to prevent soccer and rugby being played in Croke Park) is not new and has been in the public arena since long before he was elected president. "This wasn't something I did by stealth. I have expressed the same views for 10 years and before the presidential election when asked, each and every candidate said the same thing: that they agreed with opening up Croke Park. I was quite obviously elected on that basis."

He denied he had abused his position by voicing his opinion on the matter and said he has always deferred to the right of Congress to take any decision relating to change.

"Whenever I have given my views I have made it clear that Congress will decide and I haven't tried to influence that decision. I believe I haven't dishonoured or disrespected the association. I haven't engaged in any negotiations on the matter but have always encouraged everyone to look at all issues and put them forward for debate."

At the weekend's convention two delegates made direct attacks on Kelly for airing his views since taking office. "Until such times as the president espouses the rules as laid down by our association, he does not deserve the respect of the ordinary Gaels," said one contributor.

In response Kelly said that his own views had no disproportionate influence on the outcome of the debate on opening up Croke Park or any other issue. "Everything goes to Management or Congress and everyone has the opportunity to have their say."

He declined to offer an opinion on whether the opposition of Cork to the relaxation of Rule 42 would have an effect on the vote at next April's Congress. "I wouldn't speculate on the effect of the Cork vote. All members are entitled to their views."

He did respond to the public complaint of one of the Cork delegates that he had not responded to a letter requesting information on the break-even attendance figure at Croke Park.

"Every letter I have got this year I have tried to respond to and I regret that people would think that I deliberately didn't reply to a letter from a member of the association."

Also raised at yesterday's meeting were the comments of Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue at the weekend when he said that the GAA would be "doing the country a great service" if they opened up Croke Park to soccer and rugby. Kelly's response to this issue was diplomatic. "It's an awkward situation for the Government trying to express a view without being seen to interfere. People might have considered it interference but I didn't construe it in that way."

He went on to address the matter of the outstanding €38 million, promised to the GAA in return for agreeing to play a number of matches at the proposed Stadium Ireland in Abbotstown but withheld once the decision to suspend the project was taken just over a year ago. The association was told it could reapply for funding.

Negotiations on that may take place in the New Year according to Kelly, when he expects the Government to brief the GAA on the IRFU proposals to redevelop Lansdowne Road as a national stadium. "People also feel that the Government has reneged on promised funding but in fairness to the Minister he will be meeting us to discuss the IRFU proposals and funding will be on the agenda then."

Asked about the IRFU proposals, which are seeking €150 million of public money, GAA PRO Danny Lynch reiterated that association policy remains supportive of the development of a second stadium in Dublin.

"When we were asked to input into the Abbotstown project we made it clear that we were totally in favour of it being designed to accommodate Gaelic games."

The Lansdowne Road proposals specifically make allowance for the playing of Gaelic games. Director general Liam Mulvihill pointed out that the GAA had no knowledge of the proposals.

"We weren't consulted or given any information about the development. We've heard that it's designed to accommodate football and hurling but that depends on what's being talked about. Has it been planned with major intercounty fixtures in mind?"