Cork hurling legend Jimmy Barry Murphy has said the decision by the Cork Convention not to support the opening of Croke Park to other sports does not reflect popular opinion in the county.
He also said it was wrong of Cork delegates to be so critical of GAA President Sean Kelly for suggesting he was in favour of changing Rule 42. Kelly was heavily criticised by Cork delegates during their county convention on December 14. However, Barry Murphy said that, whether the President was right or wrong in his opinion, he should not be criticised for giving leadership.
The five times All Star winner said: "If I was given a choice of seeing Michael Jackson or Roy Keane, Denis Irwin or Ronan O'Gara playing in Croke Park - I know who I would choose."
Meanwhile, Longford has voted in favour of allowing the GAA's Central Council to open Croke Park. A Legan Sarsfields motion that Rule 42 be amended to enable Central Council to decide the usage of Croke Park as the situation arises was last night narrowly passed, 34 votes to 32.
Filed by Johnny Proby
