There was resounding approval at the Kilkenny convention yesterday for the opening up of Croke Park to other sports as a money-making venture for the GAA. In a poll of the 38 clubs who sent representatives to the meeting, 31 were in favour of making Croke Park available to other sports. Five were against the idea, while two clubs abstained.
The idea was mooted this week by county secretary Pat Dunphy, who suggested that Croke Park could be turned into a lucrative business park. Slieve Rua delegate Jim Walsh agreed, but said that if Croke Park was opened up to other sports it didn't necessarily follow that GAA facilities all over the country should likewise be thrown open.
In his annual address Ned Quinn, the chairman of the board, said he supported the appointment of an executive committee and management team at Croke Park, and whatever commercial decisions were necessary to complete the construction of the stadium should be left to this group.
He had harsh words to say about the new Allianz Hurling League programme. "It is difficult in the extreme to understand the logic of cramming the first three rounds into the month of February," he said. "This effectively rules a number of teams out of contention a mere three weeks after the league commences."
At the Tipperary convention in Thurles the patron of the GAA, Archbishop Dermot Clifford, has urged the association not to seek sponsorship from alcoholic drinks companies.
He complimented the Tipperary board, whose sponsors are not drinks companies and said they could advise their young players to be moderate in their use of drink without being accused of hypocrisy. "A great effort must be made to stem the ever-increasing tide of under-age drinking," he added. The chairman, Con Hogan, expressed concern at the impact of the altered intercounty programme on club games. "I fear that the clubs may ultimately lose out to the long-term detriment of the association in general," he said.
At the London convention in Ruislip the main theme chairman Larry O'Leary's address to the 93 delegates was confidence in the future. O'Leary, who saw off the challenge of vice-chairman Joe Toner by 57 votes, said coaching facilities were now provided in 12 schools throughout the London area. Improved sponsorship meant that financially the county board had a generally successful year despite a sizeable reduction in gate receipts.
The Offaly senior hurling final between Birr and Seir Kieran was called off on Saturday as St Brendan's Park, Birr was unplayable.
Kilkenny Officers - Presidents: P Buggy, M O'Neill, N Purcell. Chairman: N Quinn. Vice chairman: P Kinsella. Secretary: P Dunphy. Treasurer: D Dunphy. Auditor: R Anthony. Dev Officer: B Hickey. Youth Officer: J Comerford. PRO and Central Council Rep: T Ryall. Irish Officer: Joe Dunphy. Leinster Council Reps: J Healy, T Murphy. Delegates to Leinster Convention: P Henderson, B Hickey, J Walsh. Delegates to Congress: S Cleere, T Murphy.
Tipperary Officers - President: S O Riain. Chairman: C Hogan, Marlfield. Vice Chairman: D Shanahan, Toomevara. Secretary: M O'Brien, Silvermines. Treasurer: M Nolan, Moneygall. Assistant Treasurer: M Power, Newcastle. Central Council Rep: N Morris, Borrisokane. Munster Council: S Fogarty, Moyne and P O'Neill, Cappawhite. PRO: L Howard, Burgess. Development Officer: J Ryan, Holycross. Youth Officer: B Tyrell, Clonmel. Oifigeach na Gaeilge: C O Riain, Thurles Kickhams. Coaching Officer: P Moroney, Aherlow.
London Officers - Life President: B Mills, Waterford. President: B Treacy, Wexford. Chairman: L O'Leary, Cork. Vice Chairman: J Toner, Armagh. Treasurer: I Donnelly, Tyrone. Club Treasurer: D O'Brien, Offaly. Secretary: T Herrell, Wexford. Assistant Secretary: C Dee, Limerick. Central Council Delegate: B Brien, Galway. Public Relations: J Daly (Kerry). Development Officer: C McArdle, Westmeath. Provincial Delegates: M Diggins, Kerry and B Brien, Galway.
