Gaelic Games News round-up: The GAA'S Rule 42 controversy could take a Killarney U-turn with a bid by disaffected counties to force an autumn Special Congress on the topic.Next weekend's Annual Congress could witness an effort to reopen the debate on opening Croke Park to soccer and rugby.
This follows the controversial decision by the GAA's former presidents to rule out of order motions on the Croke Park debate from eight counties.
Well-placed sources last night revealed that next weekend's crucial Killarney meeting could be asked to consider a request to hold a Special Congress.
"We believe this is possible, and we think we are within our rights to do this," said the source.
"There has been a huge build-up of anger since the former presidents ruled the motions out of order.
"Everywhere I go, I meet people who say they want to have the matter debated. The controversy now is not so much the rule itself, but rather the fact that debate has been stifled."
And if this bold bid for a Special Congress were successful, it would almost certainly result in GAA members all over the country finally getting a chance to air their views.
The eight counties incensed by the ruling of their motions out of order are Laois, Longford, Wicklow, Dublin, Roscommon, Mayo, Cavan and Clare.
Meanwhile, Waterford have made a raft of changes to their side for this Sunday's match against Limerick in Walsh Park. Injuries have forced Justin McCarthy's hand as they bid to get the second series of the National Hurling League off to a winning start.
Significantly, Eoin Kelly comes back into favour with the selectors. He's named alongside another returnee, Ken McGrath, in the half-forward line. Séamus Prendergast also comes back from injury but Eoin McGrath (wrist), Eoin Murphy (finger), Declan Prendergast, Brian Wall, Seán Ryan and Denis Coffey are either injured or dropped.
Offaly manager Mike McNamara will not announce his starting line-up, to play an experimental-looking Kilkenny, until Sunday morning. The panel only met up this week, due to the club championship, while county champions Birr have only just returned from holiday. Ger Oakley, who damaged a shoulder in training, is the major doubt.
Meanwhile, the GAC have confirmed a number of suspensions following the recent National Football League matches.
Tyrone's Stephen O'Neill and Kerry's Eamon Fitzmaurice both received four-week suspensions after being sent off in Omagh last Sunday.
The ban means O'Neill will be available for the first round of the Ulster championship against Derry on May 9th.
WATERFORD (SH v Limerick): S Brenner; L Lawlor, T Feeney, D O'Brien; J Murray, T Browne, M Walsh; D Bennett, A Moloney; D Shanahan, E Kelly, K McGrath; S Prendergast, P Flynn, J Mullane.
OFFALY (MH v Laois): R Murray; T Coughlan, P Cleary, C O'Meara; M Quinlan, K Sadler, M Verney; J Keane, R Ryland; C Parlon, E Lee, G Kelly; C Slevin, D Molloy, A Egan.
