GAA club members give their reaction to the decision not to allow soccer and rugby to be played at Croke Park.
Many club members believe the decision taken by the Gaelic Athletic Association Congress to keep soccer and rugby out of Croke Park seen was wrong. The club is the grassroots of the GAA providing support and facilities to everyone who wants to play football or hurling from the local area.
Legan Sarsfield GFC is just one of many such clubs around the country. A small junior club on the Longford Westmeath border which regularly fund raises for improved facilities. Members of the club give their reaction to the GAA Congress decision to say no to the playing of soccer and rugby at Croke Park.
Many of the players and club members believe that the wrong decision was made at the GAA Congress last weekend.
TJ Ward believes that this is a missed opportunity to maximise the use of GAA facilities by sharing them with other sports.
Nuala Flynn, a parent of some young players at the club, feels that the decision as at odds with modern society.
Paul Ross thinks that
To alienate soccer and rugby is unfair.
Tony Carty, Chairman of Legan Sarsfield, says the decision is a missed opportunity on a national scale.
While most people at Legan Sarsfield GFC are disappointed by the decision, they believe it will be passed at next year's congress.
Most people here feel that soccer, rugby and many other field sports should be played at Croke Park.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 April 2001. The reporter is Ciaran Mullooly.
