Prenty wary of Rule 42 change

News: The Connacht Council secretary, John Prenty, has said any decision to amend Rule 42, the provision used to prevent other sports being played at Croke Park, should only be made for the overall good and development of the association.

Prenty touched on the debate concerning the future use of Croke Park in his report to the provincial convention.

"The debate concerning the use of Croke Park is back on the agenda again with more surveys and polls being conducted than before a general election," he says. "We must ensure that we are not coerced into making our decision and that whatever decision is taken is for the overall good and development of our association."

Last week the Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy sent out a similar warning, saying in his convention report there is little evidence that those who stand to benefit from any change in Rule 42 have the association's well-being at heart.

And Prenty's concerns appear to be similar: "If we were putting as much energy into the promotion and development of Gaelic games as we are into the issue of opening Croke Park, for those who have not said they want it, we would be untouchable.

"The Government have promised to build a national stadium for rugby and soccer at Lansdowne Road but as we know all too well they have not a great record in keeping promises.

"They should be reminded that we are still owed €38 million for the national stadium for Gaelic games and when this debt is fully cleared we can discuss with the Government their needs and their proposals to further help our association.

"All over the country we have excellent facilities, developed by our clubs and counties, which can more than adequately cater for any games that are not to be played in Croke Park."

In another controversial matter, Prenty says that recent efforts to get Galway to compete in the Leinster hurling championship failed to take into consideration the other hurling counties in the province.

"While all types of pressure was exerted on the Galway County Board they resisted the efforts and chose to remain an integral part of Connacht. This was a boost for the weaker counties of the province who see Galway as the champion of their rights and the beacon-carrier for the province and it is the goal of the other four Connacht counties that some day they could contest a Connacht championship."

In the meantime, Prenty also displays a mixed reaction to the new proposals of the Hurling Development Committee: "The overall proposals for hurling will do much to improve the competition," he says.

"However, I must voice my concern at the fact that there are no benefits accruing for winning a provincial championship and this in the future will see a dilution of the value of winning a provincial title and in the long term may lead to a diminution of the need for provincial councils which appears to be the aim of some people."

Elsewhere, Prenty has called on all clubs in the province to support the new Players' Injury Scheme, recently introduced by Croke Park to replace the failed voluntary insurance - but that extra care must also be taken to ensure that all claims against the fund are genuine.

This weekend's live GAA coverage on TG4 will feature the Sigerson Cup final on Saturday, starting at 2.15 p.m., and Sunday's National Hurling League meeting between Limerick and Tipperary at Gaelic Grounds.