GAA/The Residents' view: Ian O'Riordan finds Pat Gates of the residents' alliance totally opposed to moves that would bring other sports to Croke Park

Residents in the areas surrounding Croke Park are totally opposed to the notion of a "once-off" use of the stadium as part of the joint Irish-Scottish bid for the European soccer championship in 2008.

With confirmation that the GAA would not be addressing any change to Rule 42 at next month's special congress, the prospect of the stadium being used for soccer sometime soon appears more unlikely than ever.

The Croke Park Area Residents' Alliance, an umbrella organisation of over 16 tenant and residents' associations, have previously issued a statement opposing any move that would bring other sports to the stadium. Yesterday their spokesperson Pat Gates outlined the reasons even a once-off request for the European Championship would be greeted with stern opposition.

"There are still a lot of issues that haven't been resolved regarding the negative impact on the quality of life of local residents and tenants emerging from the activities at Croke Park," he said. "This is not about getting involved in Rule 42, because we are not opposed to any particular game, but we are opposed to any increase in the number of sports being played in Croke Park."

The GAA has previously gained permission for once-off events in Croke Park, such as concerts and next year's opening ceremony of the Special Olympics but the prospect of a soccer championship, says the alliance, is different.

"We had no real problem with the Special Olympics because that brings a different sort of atmosphere. It's more like a carnival, and a family day out.

"But we wouldn't have the same approach to a soccer championship, and especially the European Championship where there is a history of supporters disruption. We would be very, very concerned about something like that and would resist it as being a major problem for our us."

Already concerned by the number of extra matches scheduled for the summer on account of the changes to the football championship, the alliance only last month secured an undertaking from the GAA that, in future, Saturday replays of championship matches - up to and including All-Ireland quarter-finals - would take place outside Dublin.

The exceptions would be Leinster finals and matches expected to attract attendances of 50,000 or over.

In a related matter, the alliance remains opposed to any installation of floodlights at Croke Park, another likely component of the stadium being used as a soccer venue. Though the infrastructure is in place in Croke Park to provide such lighting, the required permission has yet to be sought.

"We have been assured in writing from the GAA that floodlights in Croke Park would not happen," added Gates. "They have stated they have no intention of putting the lighting in place, and if they ever do then we remain resolutely opposed to the idea."