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Kildare and Offaly join calls to open Croker

Could Brian O'Driscoll or Roy Keane be playing at Jones' Road soon?
Could Brian O'Driscoll or Roy Keane be playing at Jones' Road soon?

Both Kildare and Offaly voted in favour of allowing Central Council to open Croke Park on a temporary basis last night.

The Thoroughbred county voted 51-13 while the vote in the Faithful county was unanimous.

In 2001, the last time a motion was brought before Congress on an amendment to Rule 42 which bans non-GAA sports from being played at Croke Park, Kildare withdrew their support for the motion having previously supported it, while Offaly was in favour.

The decisions by the midland counties seem to mirror the general trend across the country to allow the Irish national rugby and soccer teams to play their home games in Croke Park while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.

All 12 Leinster counties are now in favour of Roscommon's and Sligo's motions for change, with six of the Ulster counties in opposition. Down have to vote on the matter, with a close call from the Mourne men expected next Wednesday.

Cork are the only dissenting county in Munster, however, Limerick have yet to decide on their stance.

In Connacht, Mayo and Leitrim have also yet to vote, with the remaming counties in favour of an amendment. 

Congress votes on the matter on April 16, with a two-thirds majority needed to pass a motion.

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