Mulvihill insists on 'get out' clause for Irish teams

[DJGaliv]

From todays Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stories.php3?ca=13&si=1797786

Mulvihill insists on 'get out' clause for Irish teams
Thursday March 22nd 2007


DOWN on the Croke Park pitch, the ground staff were busily tending the surface for Saturday's soccer international, but high up in a corporate box at the Canal End, Liam Mulvihill produced his spade and dug quite a divot in the smooth veneer of the GAA's relationship with the IRFU, FAI and Government over the renting of the stadium.

He acknowledged the "full co-operation and understanding from the IRFU and FAI" in their dealings with the GAA over the use of Croke Park, but also made it very clear that just in case anybody giddily mistook temporary for permanent in the sea of goodwill, it was time to head for the shore and outline a few realities.

Like for instance that the GAA opened Croke Park to rugby and soccer as a gesture of goodwill and not as a monetary exercise, although he acknowledged the "increased temporary revenue for the Association (around €1.5 million per game) which is both welcome and necessary."

Concerned

Mulvihill is clearly concerned that as time passes, the reasons why the GAA opened Croke Park will be forgotten, creating a danger that if they ever want to lock it again, nobody will be able to find the keys.

So, he produced the master key in his annual report which can have left nobody in any doubt that he does not intend to allow the GAA to be out-manoeuvred in any sporting or political machinations which may emerge.

He cut straight to the point. The GAA opened Croke Park so that rugby and soccer internationals didn't have to emigrate while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped. Yes, the GAA are making big money out of the arrangement, but so too are the IRFU and FAI which is a nice reward for being stadium failures over the years.

"The reality is that the IRFU and FAI are benefiting enormously from our decision and to a far more significant degree than if they still had the use of Lansdowne Road. Contrary to much public comment, our policy in regard to use of our grounds has little to do with ideology and all to do with the practicalities of surviving and flourishing in a competitive environment. The concept of 'foreign games' is not an issue," he insisted.

Which is absolutely true for the vast majority of GAA members as espoused through the Congress decision in 2005 to amend the controversial Rule 42.

However, there's a growing view within the GAA that once Croke Park was opened to other sports, it would never close, thereby allowing rugby and soccer to use GAA facilities to boost their coffers indefinitely.

Mulvihill then took a wander down a speculative route involving possible planning difficulties at Lansdowne Road (he even mentioned a judicial review) and the impact it would have on the GAA.

"The Government has stated that if the capacity of Lansdowne Road is reduced to less than 50,000, their financial commitment will be withdrawn and the IRFU has stated that reduction of capacity below that figure will render their project unviable. In that scenario, the only option will be the provision of a stadium for rugby and soccer internationals elsewhere, with Lansdowne Road being sold at a premium rate to finance their project."

It's at that point that Mulvihill said that the GAA would have to re-consider its friendly approach to rugby and soccer.

"Our Association cannot be expected to accept a vista where the competing sporting organisations have no capital investment commitments, can exploit the value of their existing infrastructure and use our facilities as a cash cow, while investing their returns in games development," writes Mulvihill.

And then comes the equivalent of Margaret Thatcher's famous 'Out, Out, Out' remarks in 1984, arising from proposals regarding Northern Ireland.

Okay, so Mulvihill wasn't quite as strident, but his remarks were certainly unambiguous. The GAA had, he noted, shown courage, vision and commitment "to provide an infrastructure that is the envy of many."

It was time to lay the truth firmly on the line.

"We cannot be taken for granted or exploited and the other sporting organisations have an obligation in terms of provision of infrastructure to meet their needs.

Relevant

"In that context it must clearly understood that that our decision relates to Croke Park alone and is relevant only while Lansdowne Road is closed and does not include competitions such as the 'home country soccer tournament,' recently reported as being on the agenda."

He chose to conclude with a subtle dig at the IRFU, FAI and Government. "At a time when rugby's two main grounds are closed simultaneously and Dalymount is for sale, when the future of Shelbourne's ground is uncertain and when we have been excluded from the Government-funded projects in Lansdowne Road and Tallaght, this is the least we should expect."

Down on the pitch, the penalty spot was being lined up for Saturday's Ireland-Wales game while around the city IRFU, FAI and Government shins had felt the force of Mulvihill's tackles.

Anybody got a whistle?

Martin Breheny

About time someone has come out with this. Fair play to Mulvihill. It started to seem like everyone was presuming Croke Park was now the national stadium, and soccer and rugby would be there forever.

[magpie seanie]

Breheny's slant on the column shows what a biased yolk he is.

I think Mulvihills comments are entirely reasonable and fair.

[muppet]

 Seanie it's not often I agree but I have no problem with Mulvihill's comments.

The GAA opened Croke Park so that rugby and soccer internationals didn't have to emigrate while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.

That is an entirely reasonable position.

[ziggysego]

Well said Mulvihill. About time someone from Croke Park has finally come out and said something. It was making some uncomfortable reading the last number of weeks, especially after the ungrateful soccer b*st*rds got in the train this week.

[Spiritof98]

Positive move from yer man, and no doubt some blue coat spin will be in tomorrows paper kicking the GAA.

[paddypastit]

Seanie - not sure what your point is.  Brehony is known among his peers for being one of the favoured ones, completely and consistently trotting the CP line.

[passedit]

He cut straight to the point. The GAA opened Croke Park so that rugby and soccer internationals didn't have to emigrate while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped. Yes, the GAA are making big money out of the arrangement, but so too are the IRFU and FAI which is a nice reward for being stadium failures over the years.

"The reality is that the IRFU and FAI are benefiting enormously from our decision and to a far more significant degree than if they still had the use of Lansdowne Road. Contrary to much public comment, our policy in regard to use of our grounds has little to do with ideology and all to do with the practicalities of surviving and flourishing in a competitive environment. The concept of 'foreign games' is not an issue," he insisted.

He could have added, 'than the GAA' as well. The longer this goes on the worse it'll be for the GAA, i'm happy that someone is prepared to draw a line in the sand.

"Our Association cannot be expected to accept a vista where the competing sporting organisations have no capital investment commitments, can exploit the value of their existing infrastructure and use our facilities as a cash cow, while investing their returns in games development," writes Mulvihill.

That's the crux, i vaguely remember a thread where we did the capital v income thing to death. As things stand Croke Park is actually a millstone around the necks of the GAA which their two main competitors can use to beat it with. Either they invest in their own millstone or they (or in the the case of the Freeloaders Assoc of Ireland, their agents in govt) make a CAPITAL contribution to Croke Park.

[magpie seanie]

And then comes the equivalent of Margaret Thatcher's famous 'Out, Out, Out' remarks in 1984, arising from proposals regarding Northern Ireland.

This sort of stuff Paddy.

[dublinfella]

interesting that he waited until the day, just announced an hour ago, that full planning permission for LR was granted.

easy to be a hardman when you know there will be no consequences 

[Rossfan]

Ya half baked eejit - Liam's comments were more than likely drefted a week ago.

[tayto]

No, funnily enough they were part of his annual review. No harm in clearing things up before the planning decision. thankfully Lansdowne has been given the green light, so we wont have a media campaign starting tomorrow for Croke Park to be the national stadium.

[dublinfella]

Ya half baked eejit - Liam's comments were more than likely drefted a week ago.

but they just happen to appear in the press the day the LR planning application decision was due...

again, its easy to shoot from the hip when its consequence free. he kept his trap shut until he realised that the IRFU/FAI wouldnt have to approach the GAA again and let rip.   his comments on Thomond Park, Dalymount and Shels surely werent in the annual report, but part of an interview on the side.

The guy is 100% right (apart from the GAA's 'right' to LR and Tallaght imo) but why wait till its too late to reassure us on the issue?

[magickingdom]

Liam mulvihill misses nothing, thought his annual report was excellent. the gaa are blessed to have the likes of him and peter quinn.


passedit, debt on croke park is now at E38m, which is good...

[Rossfan]

Maybe the GAA should stop paying the rest of the debt and wait till the Minister for Sport rides to the rescue.

[tayto]

interesting that he waited until the day, just announced an hour ago, that full planning permission for LR was granted.

easy to be a hardman when you know there will be no consequences 

The irony of that coming from someone hiding behind a username on a web forum ... ha ha ha ... you couldn't make it up, go'way you keyboard warrior.