The Congress of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has made a momentous decision to approve a temporary amendment to Rule 42 of the Association, which prohibits the playing of sports other than those controlled by the Association itself at Croke Park.

Sligo’s Rule 42 motion was decided by secret ballot which it was anticipated might favour those opposed to the proposal. This did not materialise, as needing 216 votes to succeed, the motion was supported by 227 of the delegates present. There were 97 dissenting delegates and the margin of success was greater than expected.

The motion proposed by the Sligo County Board read “ Central Council shall have the power to authorise the renting or leasing of Croke Park for events other than those controlled by the Association during a period when Lansdowne Football Ground is closed for the proposed development”.

The proposal was debated by a number of delegates from both camps and notwithstanding one or two impassioned offerings, passed off with little or no rancour.

The decision now paves the way for both the FAI and the IRFU to approach Central Council of the GAA with a request to utilise the facility of Croke Park for international fixtures during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. It is not yet clear when work will commence on the stadium project and it may well be the end of 2006 or early 2007 before all the requisite planning hurdles are overcome, if indeed they are!.

If the Congress of the GAA had rejected the Rule 42 amendment, it seems certain that home international matches involving both Rugby and Soccer would have had to be played on mainland Britain. This could not be an advantageous or desirable position for Ireland and the decision made by the delegates of the GAA should be applauded.