Kilkenny county secretary Pat Dunphy has suggested that Croke Park and the GAA would benefit immeasurably if they were to change their policy regarding the use of the stadium by non-GAA sports. The outspoken Dunphy, in his report to next weekend's annual convention, suggests that the organisation would reap huge monetary rewards if they were to open the doors to soccer and other sports and thus justify the large amounts of money spent on the stadium.
Dunphy, who has long been a public supporter of amending Rule 42, also questions the wisdom of spending more money on Croke Park when it is closed for six months a year. In his report, he says: "We are still spending money on Croke Park and will continue to do so in 2003, with the development of the Nally Stand and Hill 16 side of the grounds and still you wonder, why spend so much money on a stadium that will only open its doors for six months of the year?"
In an article in today's Irish Examiner, he suggests that the GAA would clearly do well to open Croke Park up for business from other sports. He added: "Surely from a business point of view, the grounds and facilities are well capable of generating huge income for the Association."
The Kilkenny secretary also says that while he doubts the inter-county players want to be paid, he does stress the point that people who make 'huge sacrifices' should be 'looked after'.
Filed by Shane Murray
