Tipperary in favour of change

Gaelic Games, Rule 42: With over two weeks before GAA Congress there appears to be at least some climate change regarding Rule 42.

Tipperary's decision to support the motions that allow the use of Croke Park for other sports on a temporary basis represents the first significant shift in the winds of change since the last full debate three years ago. Several more counties are still considering their options ahead of Congress on April 15th-16th.

The Tipperary county meeting on Tuesday night ended with the board voting 62 to 16 in favour of the motion calling for a temporary amendment to Rule 42 while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.

Such motions were drafted by Roscommon, Sligo and Wicklow, while four other motions calling for permanent change were drafted by Cavan, Longford, Kerry and Clare.

"It was decisive," explained Tipperary county secretary Michael O'Brien. "There was a good discussion that lasted about an hour and in the end the feeling was most people were in favour of a temporary lifting of the rule."

O'Brien, however, played down the suggested this marked a significant U-turn in the debate on Rule 42. "There wasn't really a current situation with us," he said. "But on previous occasions Tipperary has voted against the reform."

Those speaking in favour highlighted the PR disaster that would ensue if international soccer or rugby matches had to go to a place like Cardiff while Lansdowne Road was redeveloped. They also pointed out that it wouldn't in any way impact on the GAA's own scheduling of games at Croke Park.

Those speaking against the motion felt that opening Croke Park to other sports would eventually put pressure on local clubs to do likewise.

There was also a feeling the GAA had put a substantial amount of their own resources into the redevelopment of the stadium, and that the Government assistance was primarily lottery funding. Yet still some people appeared to begrudge the GAA.

"The one argument that definitely wasn't used for or against it was the financial one," added O'Brien.

"No one thought money came into it, and that Croke Park needed to be opened to improve the GAA's resources."

It remains to be seen what impact, if any, the Tipperary decision will have on other counties. O'Brien, however, made it clear their decision had been made independent of both public opinion and the views of other counties.

"No one made reference to any other counties," he said, "and we'd expect other counties to make up their own minds as well without being influenced by the opinions of others."

What O'Brien did hope for was that all counties would have their minds made up ahead of Congress.

"Our delegates have been mandated now to support the temporary amendment to the rule. If all other counties have decided in advance, and I expect they will, we should know going in there what way the thing will go. And so the whole thing could be over in five minutes."

In the meantime, the seven counties that successfully drafted the motions have yet to decide how best to combine their efforts in order to get Rule 42 amended at Congress. But according to Tommy Kenoy, a long-standing member of Roscommon's efforts, they will sit down and discuss their plan of attack.

"It definitely will happen," he said, "but we just have to decide if it will be next week, or even the Friday night before Congress. And we'll have to look at what way the motions are presented, which comes first, and things like that. But no one is going to be trying to influence the other, or push their motion. We'll listen to what everyone has to say and then decide what is the best option."

Among the other counties who have discussions planned in the coming two weeks are Armagh and Donegal in Ulster, Waterford and Limerick in Munster, Leitrim and Mayo in Connacht, and Meath and Westmeath in Leinster.

Kenoy believes what happened in Tipperary does reflect some changes in the current climate.

"Tipperary had been totally opposed to this issue from day one. So I believe it's a very substantial result for the pro side of the argument. What we've been saying all along is if the matter were put to the actual membership of the association you would get the necessary majority.

"So Tipperary is a great example of the line that would be taken of the members on the ground.

"To me it also reflects the main issue at stake now, which is what will happen during the period that Lansdowne Road is closed? People know they can't just stand by and watch some of our biggest international events being exported while we have a perfectly suitable stadium in the heart of north Dublin. And that goes back to the old Irish tradition of helping your neighbours in times of need."

Meath have also been against Rule 42 in the past, but will also refresh opinions next Monday night. County press officer Brendan Cummins admitted things could change.

"We'll be discussing all the motions that are coming before Congress," he said, "because there are lots of things up for debate that are far more important to the actual players and the GAA in general. In fact we think the Rule 42 motion is being isolated, and diverting attention from some of the other important motions.

"Historically speaking Meath would be anti-change on Rule 42, but right now it's impossible to predict what the feeling is, and we just won't know until the night. But I suppose the people who are pro-change are inclined to make themselves heard a little more."