More than three-quarters of the Irish adult population want to see Croke Park open its doors to soccer and rugby, according to a timely survey commissioned by The Star. The findings, revealed exclusively in today's edition, arrive just 24 hours before the possible amendment of the controversial Rule 42 is discussed at the GAA's Congress in Dublin tomorrow. A remarkable 76% of people polled would be in support, with only 16% against amending Rule 42, which states that all grounds under the auspices of the GAA be used for the sole purpose of Gaelic Games.
Several counties have come out over the past fortnight with a show of no-support for the motion seeking to allow 'foreign' sports such as soccer and rugby the use of facilities at GAA headquarters. However, the findings of this survey, conducted by Lansdowne Market Research, show that the general public is in favour of a change in tradition which could see the likes Roy Keane and Brian O'Driscoll play in the country's finest venue.
The study also reveals that 65% of people polled would like to see all GAA grounds follow suit, should Croker open its doors. This is a move that the GAA have already insisted would not occur regardless of the outcome of this latest vote. The motion was defeated at the Annual Congress last year and is expected to be defeated again this Saturday, although a proposal to have it reviewed at a Special Congress later this year is expected to be supported.
Although support is evenly spread across the age groups of those surveyed, one surprising statistic to emerge suggests that the highest support (80%) is amongst the 55-64 year-old age bracket.
Filed by Shane Murray
