GAA break own rules by opening Croke Park

[Point]

GAA break own rules by opening Croke Park before Lansdowne work begins
Friday January 26th 2007

Ulster chairman Grennan insists wording of motion is being ignored

THE GAA has sold out on its principles by opening Croke Park to other
sports and is also breaking its own rules by allowing rugby and soccer
international to take place there next month.

That's the strident view of Ulster Council chairman Michael Greenan,
who is also a vice-president of the GAA. He is due to step down as
Ulster chairman at the end of next month, ironically on the day
Ireland play England in a Six Nations rugby international in Croke
Park, although he insists the provincial convention's clash with the
big game is purely coincidental.

In a searing critique of the GAA's links with rugby and soccer,
Greenan slams the decision to open Croke Park in advance of work
commencing on the Lansdowne Road redevelopment.

"People are beginning to see now that not only have we been sold a
pup, we have been sold a whole litter. The motion (regarding opening
Croke Park) as passed by 2005 Congress is not being adhered to. Work
has not started on Lansdowne Road, yet, we're opening Croke Park for
rugby and soccer. That's a wrong decision," he said.

As a member of the GAA's high-powered Management Committee, Greenan
will be entitled to tickets for the forthcoming rugby internationals.
However, he won't be attending the games and will decide later what to
do with the tickets.

Will he send them back? "We'll see - I haven't got them yet so the
matter doesn't arise as of now," he said.

Opponent

Asked if he would watch the game against France on TV he replied: "If
I have nothing better to do, I might - it all depends on the day. I
have no particular interest in rugby. People who don't see fit to play
our national anthem at all times do nothing for me."

A native of Cavan, Greenan has been involved in GAA administration
since becoming assistant secretary of his club at the age of 14. He
also played for Cavan and rose to the highest echelons as a referee,
prior to progressing up the administrative ladder to Ulster chairman
level.

A leading opponent of the move to amend Rule 42 and allow soccer and
rugby into Croke Park, he famously failed to stand when former GAA
President, Seán Kelly was being feted by Congress as he left office
last April.

However, Greenan refutes the suggestion that he is a controversial
figure, arguing instead that he merely backs up his own beliefs. He
also insists that his views on Croke Park resonate with many GAA
people and was delighted to have got such a positive reaction to his
opposition to opening the stadium.

"I represent a broader view than some people think. You would be
absolutely amazed at the number of phone calls I got after the 2005
Congress. They came from all over Ireland. People were saying 'well
done, it's a pity we haven't more like you.'

"I don't run with the crowd just because it's popular. I have my views
on the use of Croke Park and I'm prepared to express them. I'm afraid
we've lost the plot on this one. We're giving away our best asset to
other people to generate money to either help pay their share of the
Lansdowne Road redevelopment or promote their sports.

"Despite opening Croke Park, we're not allowed into Lansdowne Road
although we were supposed to. Where's the justice in that.

"I believe we should be promoting our games, not those of our rivals.
By opening Croke Park, we're promoting their sports and raising
finance for them to do so. The GAA will make money from opening Croke
Park but rugby and soccer will make five times as much. There no point
making a pound for yourself and five or six for the other fella.

"Nobody in business is doing that so why are we," said Greenan, who

[Old Dog]

CCHA and Chief have both warned me that if I post any more in this topic, they'll send Peter Canavan around to my house to talk to me. smileys/confused.gif

[Point]

<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
<T>
<TR>
<TD background=/images/tile3.jpg>No place in GAA for Greenan's garble</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Saturday January 27th 2007</TD></TR></T></TABLE>


I WOKE up this morning, a cause for celebration in itself, wondering exactly what I was going to write about. But a quick flick through the Indo soon had me sorted.


A man who had an intimate encounter recently with a large lady told me she was beside him wherever he went in the room even though she never moved off the bed. There are some people it is next to impossible to escape and one such person is Michael Greenan, the Chairman of the Ulster Council and the GAA vice president.


Our Martin Breheny interviewed Michael Greenan on the All Stars tour in Dubai. Maybe Greenan was sent as a replacement for Kieran Donaghy. He cut loose, big time. But haven't the poor Arabs enough troubles of their own without getting a dose of GAA politics. Still it was the most compelling display by an Irishman in the desert since Peter O'Toole rode out in Lawrence of Arabia.


If there was an Oscar for talking s**** Michael would win it hands down. Here's some of what he said.


"Despite opening Croke Park we're not allowed into Lansdowne Road even though they said we would."


What's this? Is it how you want to play the Ulster final in Lansdowne Road?


Do you not realise if a train carrying a job lot of maracas, castanet's and false teeth were to travel under the West Stand the vibrations could cause the whole place to come tumbling down.


We are told the young Greenan dabbled in soccer and rugby. Well that's okay Michael, once you didn't inhale.


And he maintains he has no problems with either sport, but then says that "people who don't see fit to play our national anthem at all times do nothing for me".


And as for soccer he states: "If you play soccer for the 26 counties - not for Ireland because it's a partitionist situation - you'll get to play in Croke Park but not all GAA players can". Now that kind of rhetoric should be kept out of the GAA.


Greenan should not get involved in politics while holding an office of such importance.


There's more. He says the pensioners around Croker have no clout when it comes to the planning process.


Indeed when the debate regarding the playing of soccer and rugby was raging the Ulster Council suggested an increase in the usage of Croke Park would greatly inconvenience residents.


But where did the Ulster Final take place?


Correct. Croke Park.


Greenan rightly states the GAA are in competition with other sports and should not help rival games. It's a legitimate argument. I happen to think Gaelic football is the supreme game.


But kids should play all sports and then at a certain age pick which one they like best. Remember we live in a country where parents have children wash their hands after handling bank notes. We need all the help we can get from our sporting organisations. And you Michael have worked tirelessly for the GAA. That must never be forgotten.


But like some up North you are losing the run of yourself.


"Look at what we've done (in Ulster) and compare it with the rest of the provinces and ask yourself who are the backwoodsmen." But he's not always so up front.


Greenan's non-committal reply to Breheny when asked if he would hand back his tickets for the forthcoming rugby internationals is a classic of the genre.


"We'll see. I haven't got them yet so the matter doesn't arise as of now."


Michael if you do not go to the game you will be no better than those people who protest outside cinemas against a movie they have never seen.


Suggestion


Here's my suggestion. Come to the

[Point]

CCHA and Chief have both warned me that if I post any more in this topic, they'll send Peter Canavan around to my house to talk to me. smileys/c&#111;nfused.gif





Jump the fireWALL and whack them first OD smileys/wink.gif

[Piquet]

Ah yes, I can see it now. An application will be made, next wednesday or thursday week, feb 7th or 8th for an injunction to prevent the use of CP for the French game on the basis that LR is not being developed.

[CCHA]

smileys/thumb-up.gif






CCHA and Chief have both warned me that if I post any more in this topic, they'll send Peter The Great around to my house to talk gently to me. smileys/smiley31.gif





Well done Chief, you must have got his home address before I did


smileys/thumb-up.gif

[sewa]

Down with this sort of thing.

[The Word Is Born]

<DIV>Any chnace one of them will emerge onto the pitch during the game and procced to claim the ball before storming off?</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>As an aside I wonder does the esteemed Mr. Greenan know about ebay?</DIV>

[Timster]

"Greenan has been involved in GAA administration
since becoming assistant secretary of his club at the age of 14"


Truly a life sentence ofadministrativeservitude . . sorry, service.

[Corker]

[/url]smileys/rolleyes.gif





[url="http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb095_ZSYYYYYYYYIE&amp;utm_id=7 923"] (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYYYYIE)

[brophya2006]

Muppet

[Chief]

I think we should have another thread for Greenans statement. I've only seen it reproduced 3 times so far on this forum. I need a fourth look before I can make up my mind.

[sewa]

The funny thing is he is 100% correct in that the deal was that LR would be under construction and it isnt.

[wildRover]

We should stop feeding the trolls.

[wildRover]

The funny thing is he is 100% correct in that the deal was that LR would be under construction and it isnt.





While right to a point the other problem is that the FAI can't use Lansdowne Road after this qualifying campaign because they got an extension from UEFA regarding the temporary seats and it was only because LR was due to be redeveloped anyway.


So even if planning is rejected the FAI are homeless, worst case scenario for the IRFU is back to Lansdowne.


But then Ireland would be a laughing stock and the GAA would get the blame so it will never happen.


We are in Croker for good now unless some idiot approves the LR plan.

[sewa]

The funny thing is he is 100% correct in that the deal was that LR would be under construction and it isnt.





While right to a point the other problem is that the FAI can't use Lansdowne Road after this qualifying campaign because they got an extension from UEFA regarding the temporary seats and it was only because LR was due to be redeveloped anyway.


So even if planning is rejected the FAI are homeless, worst case scenario for the IRFU is back to Lansdowne.


But then Ireland would be a laughing stock and the GAA would get the blame so it will never happen.


We are in Croker for good now unless some idiot approves the LR plan.


smileys/lol.gifsmileys/lol.gifsmileys/lol.gif

[Point]

The funny thing is he is 100% correct in that the deal was that LR would be under construction and it isnt.





Are you sure ? I thought it was while LR was closed ?

The IRFU are no longer covering the Public LiabilityInsurance, so as far as holding a match there is concerned it's closed to the general public.


Maybe that train full of castanets could start the job and flatten the ould kip in the mean-time, just tomake sure.


In any case what's the betting LR will never be used for a 6N International again?

[wildRover]

Withthe RDS being brought up to ~20K mostly seated and Donnybrook being expanded there may be no need for Lansdowne Road at all, as Thomond Park and The Maze stadium will also be available.

[Point]

The IRFU are no longer covering the Public LiabilityInsurance, so as far as holding a match there is concerned it's closed to the general public.


Maybe that train full of castanets could start the job and flatten the ould kip in the mean-time, just tomake sure.


In any case what's the betting LR will never be used for a 6N International again?





I think they need planning to demolish ?

[Rob R 717]

wat a retard!! its s**t lik dat ud expect 2 find in a communists state

Read an article in yesterdays paper(S/Times) that a Tennis Club in the vicinity of Lansdowne was refused permission to add another storey to their Clubhouse, Council upheld local objections, so there's some writing on the wall for LR.


If, as you say Point,they need planning to demolish, it looks likea much smaller Lansdowne Road will be the eventual outcome. And with a record number of objections from the great and the good of D4 yet to be heard.A scaled-down stadium will be the compromise, and one totally unsuitable for 6N or major Poofball matches at that.


To be honest, if the Croker dealworks out money wise for the GAA, and given that it can, IMO, be only a matter of time before those playing Inter-County GAA start looking for dosh, it's unlikely they'll be in too much of a hurry torun anyone bringing a few million euro into the coffers.

[TonyD]

The funny thing is he is 100% correct in that the deal was that LR would be under construction and it isnt.





Are you sure ? I thought it was while LR was closed ?





correct Point.......see extract below from GAA website...


Rule 42 motion is carried

The issue of whether to make Croke Park available for international rugby and soccer came to an end with an historic victory for the pro-amendment lobby in a vote at the GAA Congress.

A 227-97 result in the secret ballot was enough to secure the required two-thirds majority necessary to succeed. It was expected to be a tight result, so the 11-vote margin was slightly larger than could have been hoped by the 'yes' lobby.

Seven motions in all were included among the range of 52 individual motions that made up the Congress agenda, but by the time the ballots were ticked, just one was left to decide upon. One by one, Kerry, Cavan, Longford, Clare, Roscommon and Wicklow all withdrew their motions to concentrate support on Sligo's proposal. It was widely believed that a temporary relaxation of the rule, which would end upon the re-opening of Lansdowne Road, had the best chance of success.

Sligo's motion urged that Central Council be "given 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 Grounds is closed for the proposed development."

[and 'demoltion' requires PP.]

[Point]

Thanks Tony

[munster_mafia]

i beleive the rule is they cant play in CP until construction is under way in LR. Construction is defined in 5 phases


1 Feasibility


2 Design


3 Planning


4 Building work


5 Commisioning


so as you can see the construction is well under way.

[Chief]

I'm building a 26 bedroom mansion in the wicklow mountains with an infinity swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, landscaped gardens and game room. I plan to fund this by robbing a securicor van in the near future. Thats phases 1 &amp; 2 sorted. Construction is well under way!smileys/biggrin.gif

[bruffian]

"Greenan has been involved in GAA administration
since becoming assistant secretary of his club at the age of 14"


Truly a life sentence ofadministrativeservitude . . sorry, service.





j.p. mcmanus was still in his teens in think when he became secretary of south liberties g.a.a

[The Word Is Born]

What can you expect? They are a different breed up there.

[cornerboy]

Does anybody agree that the plan to build a new stadium with a capacity of only 50K to be the home of international rugby &amp; soccer is ridiculous anyway. The old LR can hold 49K and you couldnt get a ticket for a decent international for love nor money. The population is on the rise significantly, our new found wealth allows us to pay 80 quid a ticket and bring the kids no problem, and we are stillcatering for numbers we have by now well out grown.


LR is the home of irish rugby but if you cant get 70K in there then its a green field or permanent CP deal.

[Point]

Does anybody agree that the plan to build a new stadium with a capacity of only 50K to be the home of international rugby &amp; soccer is ridiculous anyway. The old LR can hold 49K and you couldnt get a ticket for a decent international for love nor money. The population is on the rise significantly, our new found wealth allows us to pay 80 quid a ticket and bring the kids no problem, and we are stillcatering for numbers we have by now well out grown.


LR is the home of irish rugby but if you cant get 70K in there then its a green field or permanent CP deal.





Of course it is ridiculous but that was what was felt would get through planning with the "least" problems. Hardly the ideal basis to continue with LR but that's the way it is.

[Chief]

Whens the decision on planning going to be made anyway?

[Old Dog]

Whens the decision on planning going to be made anyway?


Shortly - by end-Feb at the latest.

[wildRover]

Whens the decision on planning going to be made anyway?


Shortly - by end-Feb at the latest.





And after that I believe they can take it to the high court = years, correct?

[Old Dog]

Whens the decision on planning going to be made anyway?


Shortly - by end-Feb at the latest.





And after that I believe they can take it to the high court = years, correct?





Correct. And, actuarially I have only 28 years to live, so I'll never see the new Lansdowne Road. smileys/sad.gif

[cornerboy]

Does anybody agree that the plan to build a new stadium with a capacity of only 50K to be the home of international rugby &amp; soccer is ridiculous anyway. The old LR can hold 49K and you couldnt get a ticket for a decent international for love nor money. The population is on the rise significantly, our new found wealth allows us to pay 80 quid a ticket and bring the kids no problem, and we are stillcatering for numbers we have by now well out grown.


LR is the home of irish rugby but if you cant get 70K in there then its a green field or permanent CP deal.





Of course it is ridiculous but that was what was felt would get through planning with the "least" problems. Hardly the ideal basis to continue with LR but that's the way it is.





So if the 50K capacity has to be reduced to say 45K to satisfy planning, do we still run with it?


Is LR the only show in town? Is a green field option on the agenda at all?


Oris a permanent arrangement with Croke Park the real objective?