Kelly Favors Croke Park Change. by
Cathal Dervan. GAA President Sean Kelly has hit back at personal criticism aimed in his direction by the Cork County Board as the issue of opening up Croke Park continues to divide the GAA.
Kelly was rounded on by several delegates to last weekend’s Cork convention as the county voted against allowing soccer or rugby into the association’s 83,000 capacity stadium. But Kelly has dismissed the personal abuse and any suggestion that he is trying to force the GAA’s hand on the controversial issue.
He said, “Whenever I have given my views, I have made it clear that congress will decide and I haven’t tried to influence that decision.
“I believe I haven’t dishonored or disrespected the association. I haven’t engaged in any negotiations on the matter, but have always encouraged everyone to look at all issues and put them forward for debate.
“I wouldn’t take a whole pile of notice of it. People are entitled to their opinions and I respect these opinions, whether they agree of disagree with me. That really doesn’t really matter.
“What it really reflects is that this is a very emotive issue and that people hold very strong views on it. They’re not prepared to change and anybody who suggests change is seen perhaps in some way as tainted.
“I can understand that. I know where they are coming from. There would be close friends of mine and some relatives who would field the same views, but we respect one another.
“The important thing is that the debate is taking place. I want people to look at the pros and cons, make up their minds in a friendly, amiable manner and make a decision at Congress - not just in relation to Croke Park, but every other issue.
“Criticism is something that goes with the territory, particularly if you are trying to advocate change in one area or another. It helps to keep our feet on the ground and keep us focused.”
Kelly, meanwhile, hasn’t given up hope on receiving outstanding money, some ¤38million, owed to the GAA by the government for the redevelopment of Croke Park. He added, “The government reneged on its commitment to us and while we are disappointed, they have told us that they will come and meet with us.
“They are awaiting reports from the (Football Association of Ireland) FAI and (Irish Rugby Football Union) IRFU before they do that. We want to talk about the outstanding money, but it’s a delicate process and while people have their own views on the opening up of Croke Park, they must realize that it’s not right to interfere.”
Underdogs Go Over Big.
A BIG crowd turned out at Parnell Park on Sunday to watch the Underdogs, a made for television side coached by Jarlath Burns, lose to Dublin by just a point in a senior football challenge.
The Underdogs side was made up of players who had never played senior county football before and was coached by Burns and Dublin legend Brian Mullins as TG4 followed their progression.
“We’re very disappointed because I think we panicked a wee bit in the last couple of minutes,” said coach Burns after the 0-10 to 1-6 defeat. “I think we proved a few things today and showed what you can do if you take a lot of fellows together and train them to face any inter-county team. We took these guys from obscurity, gave them their big day out and they nearly came up trumps.”
Silver for Runners.
SONIA O’Sullivan led the way as the Ireland women’s team won the silver medal at the European Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh on Sunday. O’Sullivan finished fourth after traveling from Australia for the event, with England’s Paula Radcliffe winning the individual gold and helping her country to first in the team event.
Rosemary Ryan (13th), Anne Keenan-Buckley (27th) and Catherina McKiernan (34th) completed the Irish team. Team captain Keenan-Buckley announced her retirement from top class athletics, at the age of 42, after the race.
Seamus Power was best placed of the Irish men in 19th position.
Harps Boss In Trouble.
FINN Harps boss Noel King faces an FAI reprimand after ugly scenes marred the end of Derry City’s 2-1 extra-time victory over their neighbors in the eircom League promotion/relegation playoff on Saturday night.
Liam Coyle’s late, late winner ensured Premier Division football for Derry next season, but King and players Shane Bradley and Kevin McHugh were sent-off in the final 10 minutes of extra-time after McHugh had cancelled out Mark Farren’s opener in the 95th minute.
King then launched a verbal attack on referee Alan Kelly, claiming, “I believe we were done by an official’s decisions.” The eircom League and the FAI are set to investigate the scenes that marred the north-west derby.
Leinster Beats Cardiff.
LEINSTER ignored the atrocious conditions to beat Cardiff Blues in Wales on Friday night and confirm their early status as favorites for the Heineken Cup.
That 24-19 result maintained the Lions’ 100% record at the top of Pool 3 as Gary Ella’s side look to make up for last season’s European disappointment.
And man of the match Keith Gleeson admitted, “We are in the driving seat now with two victories and nine points in the bag from the opening two games but we will take nothing for granted.
“It was important to get the two victories under our belts before the Christmas break and we will look forward to the games in the New Year now with confidence.”
Healy Will Play Again.
IRELAND midfielder Colin Healy has been assured he will play football again after a horror tackle from Coventry’s Youref Safri left him with a double leg break last week.
“He has suffered an injury which is more common in someone who has been hit by a car,” revealed Sunderland surgeon Gavin De Kiewiet. “Barring any complication with infection, the leg will heal as strong if not stronger than before.”
Sunderland are considering legal action against the Coventry player, with manager Mick McCarthy outraged by the challenge that has ended Healy’s season.
Sports Shorts.
ULSTER’S Andrew Bree was the Irish hero at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in the new Abbotstown pool on Sunday when he won a silver medal in the 200 meter breaststroke and smashed the national record into the bargain. “I just put it into my head that it was possible after the heats and I am delighted to have achieved this medal on the first occasion that Dublin hosted this event,” declared a delighted Bree afterwards . . .
CHELTENHAM Gold Cup candidate Beef or Salmon came up trumps again when winning the Warehousing Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday. “The plan remains to run Beef or Salmon in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, then the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham in January,” confirmed trainer Michael Hourigan . . .
Rugby Shorts.
DAVID Humphreys and Eric Miller are out of Ireland’s Six Nations training camp in Lanzarote this week. Humphreys has been excused the warm weather training as he looks forwards to Ulster’s date with Edinburgh in Saturday’s Celtic Cup final. And Miller is out after damaging a shoulder in Leinster’s Heineken Cup win away to the Cardiff Blues last Friday night . . .
PAUL O’Connell’s reputation as the finest young prospect in Irish rugby grew again when he produced a man of the match performance as Munster hammered Treviso 51-0 in the Heineken Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday night. “Paul is the best second row forward in Ireland right now and he is getting better all the time as he proved in this game,” gleamed coach Alan Gaffney afterwards . . .
CONNACHT will meet crack French side Pau in the second round of the European Challenge Cup next month after a 29-23 aggregate win over Beziers . . .
GAA Shorts.
PETER Canavan, despite a massive Internet campaign, didn’t win the BBC’s sports personality of the year award in London on Sunday, the gong going to England rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson predictably, but the Tyrone legend did win the Northern Ireland regional award . . .
DOWN star James McCartan is to stand trial early in the new year after an alleged assault on Westmeath player Kenneth Larkin during a challenge game last May . . .
WORK has started on a new 220 bedroom hotel at Croke Park after the GAA were granted planning permission by an Bord Pleanneala for the new structure on Jones Road . . .
THE Croke Park pitch may be re-laid in the spring after complaints that it is too hard on players’ legs.
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