Irish GAA
By Aidan Begley

Controversial Rule Change Sees Croker Enter A New Era

Some people thought that it would never be discussed, let alone passed, but when the GAA voted to throw the doors of Croke Park to football and rugby while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped, the GAA have now entered a brand new era.

The historic motion was passed on a 227 to 97 vote – ten votes more than the required two third majority of 217. This clears the way for the likes of Roy Keane and Brian O’Driscoll to play on the hallowed turf of the famous Dublin stadium.

Now the motion has been passed, there is no immediate prospect of the IRFU and FAI headquarters being closed, the most likely forecast is that the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road will receive the green light from planners by the end of 2006.

With all the legal red-tape, it could be until 2007 or even 2008 until the Irish rugby and football teams have to leave Lansdowne Road. Even then, there is still the chance that the Croke Park authorities and the IRFU/FAI will fail to reach an agreement about leasing the stadium.

Furthermore, so that Croke Park can become a viable venue for football and rugby, it needs to have floodlights installed, which will require planning permission. However, the Rule 42 change is such a significant decision, it seems unlikely that the GAA will renegade on this motion.

Croke Park has the second highest capacity of sporting venues in Europe, only beaten by the colossal Nou Camp in Barcelona, and although it may take a few more years until the national teams of the so-called ‘foreign’ sports fills these stands, it does seem likely that this will happen.
At the moment though, it is a case of later rather than sooner.
After the furore and controversy regarding Rule 42, the GAA went back to what it is good at, producing some fantastic Gaelic Football and Hurling at the end of the Allianz National Leagues.

The National League acts as a good indicator of the teams who will be the movers and the shakers in the upcoming All-Ireland championships and this year was no different.
History was made during May when Armagh won the Division One football title for the first time, beating Wexford who were appearing the final for the first time in 59 years.
Armagh became the 16th county to win the Division One title with a convincing 1-21 to 1-14 victory over Wexford thanks to a superb personal tally of 0-10 from Steven McDonell to Croke Park.

A lacklustre Wexford were outclassed by the Ulstermen and this performance has made the rest of the counties fighting for the All-Ireland sit up and take notice, including the likes of current champions Kerry, that they are determined to add the Sam Maguire cup to their league championship.

While the First Division contest was a damp squib, the Second Division final was very much a smoking gun with underdogs Monaghan taking the title after an amazing last-kick victory over their neighbours Meath.

Trailing by two points as the game entered injury time, a Monaghan free was lofted into the opposition box and Mark Ward of Meath managed to fist the ball into his own net, giving Monaghan a sensational 3-13 to 3-12 victory.

‘They’re born with a hurling stick in their hands in Kilkenny’ I was once told, and the Cats have shown that they are raring to go to try and equal Cork’s All-Ireland record of 29 Liam MacCarthy titles.

The Cats easily secured the 12th National Hurling League title and their third in four years on Bank Holiday Monday, beating Clare 2-13 to 0-5, putting them in a great frame of mind to capture yet another All-Ireland championship.
ALLIANZ LEAGUES 2005:
The Final Stats

Allianz NFL

Division One:
Champions - Armagh
Relegated - Westmeath, Donegal (to 2A), Limerick, Sligo (to 2B).
Division Two:
Champions - Monaghan
Promoted - Monaghan, Fermanagh (to 1A), Derry, Meath (to 1B).

Allianz NHL

Division One:
Champions - Kilkenny
Relegated - Dublin
Division Two:
Champions - Offaly or Carlow
Promoted - Offaly or Carlow
Relegated - Sligo
Division Three:
Champions - Mayo
Promoted - Mayo
Shield Champions - Longford or Fermanagh

So with the National League finished, the real business starts in vein with the opening gambits of both the Gaelic and Hurling championships take place over the course of month of May.

Come June, the All-Ireland will be starting to take shape nicely, and you can read the latest news on both Championships in the Harp next month.