STRATEGIC REVIEW 2002: Inevitably, it was the proposal to sunder Dublin's GAA history and tradition along the waters of the Liffey which dominated the debate at yesterday's launch of the strategic view.
Peter Quinn, the former GAA president and Fermanagh man who presented the vision that some city Gaels will view as heresy, reckoned that the initial reaction from Dublin board members had been encouraging.
"We met the Dublin officers and they were positive. That's not to say they agreed with everything, but they committed themselves to adopting a positive approach in taking it to their clubs. People must remember that even if Dublin is split, it will still be the biggest two counties in terms of population."
Current Dublin manager Tommy Lyons, speaking on RTE's SportsCall last night, also endorsed the dual system in principle.
"I think as an association we are awfully quick to jump on new ideas and challenges, but there is no doubt that there is a massive issue to be addressed in Dublin," he said.
"The country by and large loves Dublin to be there or there about, but don't want them winning anything. The like to keep them in isolation, and that has what happened, it's just a fact of life.That's our tribal warfare and it's what keeps the association thriving.
"But there is no doubt that Dublin is in crisis, because we have one committee trying to run a city with a population of 1.2 million. We shouldn't be frightened of change, and if it ends up as Dublin North and Dublin South, so be it."
There was also an inference that change will be wrought in Dublin irrespective of the sentiments of city members.
"We don't want to override the Dublin County Board if possible," Quinn insisted. "But Dublin is a national issue, it accounts for a third of the population of the 26 counties. We will be hoping that they will work with us, but one way or another we want to make progress."
On Rule 42, and specifically the opening of Croke Park, the report cautiously recommends a more liberated approach. The notion of a second stadium in Dublin, with a coy hint about Government funding, was also aired.
"In the interests of the clubs and county grounds, we felt that Rule 42 should not be changed. What we did say was that there is an important asset in the association costing around €250 million and that we should get best use of that.
"But it is an issue that is important because the association is fully aware that Croke Park will not be capable of meeting all the needs at certain times of year for playing facilities.
"So we have suggested there is the need for another stadium in Dublin, and all I would say about that is that the GAA will not be able to fund it. The ball is in someone else's ball park," Quinn said.
The other big talking point was the proposal to reduce the numbers on a Gaelic team from 15 to 13.
"We got a lot of feedback, particularly from the players, that they wanted to experiment with a 13-a-side structure to produce more open and attractive games that could end the bunching around midfield," responded Quinn. It has yet to be clarified as to how the Strategic Review proposals might be adopted.
"Central Council will take a decision on the exact protocol to be followed," the president, Seán McCague said.
"Obviously anything that requires a rule change is a Congress decision, but whether we will hold a Special Congress is for the Central Council to decide."
