As the county convention season takes precedence in GAA circles, so too do opinions relating to the removal of Rule 42 and the opening up of Croke Park to other sports. Clare secretary Pat Fitzgerald has summed up the mood in the report to his county convention, stating that a fresh debate was essential, while opinions still clearly differ.
"It's high time we grasped the nettle, allowed the debate on Rule 42 and, whatever the outcome, put things to bed once and for all after that," said Fitzgerald. But he added that it wasn't going to be so straightforward.
"Certainly, there is a swell of support - and one cannot . . . ignore that fact - for the move to throw open the gates of Croke Park and welcome in other sports.
"But I think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, first and foremost, we should look after our own interests.
"Croke Park represents a massive investment, both financially and in terms of the future of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
"Certainly it isn't acceptable that the stadium should be required for something like 40 days for competitive games in the year and remain idle thereafter. As things stand, Croke Park locked up shop after the Compromise Rules series with Australia and will not reopen again until the All-Ireland Club finals next March."
Fitzgerald advocates the opening of Croke Park for the greater use of the GAA's own members: "There are school children up and down the . . . country who would relish and treasure the opportunity to play in Croke Park. It might be the only way they'll get to play in our national stadium and I firmly believe it's an idea worth pursuing."
Clare have agreed to submit a motion to Congress that calls on the GAA to offer Croke Park to the FAI for home internationals while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped. "I wouldn't have been in favour of that motion," added Fitzgerald, "but I'm a great believer in democracy."
Kerry County Board chairman Seán Walsh was less specific about his opinions in last night's report to their county convention, although he hinted that time for change was ripe. And like Fitzgerald he said a full debate at Congress was now vital.
"It is time for the GAA to bring closure to the matter in relation to opening Croke Park," said Walsh. "For me the most disappointing aspect of the whole affair was not having the matter up for debate at Congress in Killarney last April."
He added: "Rule 42 has served the association well in relation to protecting club, county and provincial grounds for our members. Any changes to rule should only involve Croke Park.
"Our association has never shirked its responsibility in relation to removing rules from the book that were no longer necessary for the good of the association and I believe that Congress 2005 should prove to be another milestone in that regard."
This contrasted with the mood at the Limerick county convention, where a motion from the Milford club to permit the opening of Croke Park on a once-off basis was firmly rejected.
It specified that Central Council may on receipt of a written request from the director general permit the use of grounds controlled by association units on a once-off basis for field games other than those sanctioned by Central Council.
Outgoing chairman Pat Fitzgerald was among those to express his opposition.
"My first allegiance is towards my own organisation. Once you break the ring fence around one, you break the ring fence around them all."
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Division One hurling final: UCC v Cork IT, Mardyke, 2.30, D Kirwan (Cork). Sunday: Munster club SF final replay: Kilmurry Ibrickane (Clare) v Stradbally (Waterford), Kilmallock, 1.30, P Russell (Tipperary), extra-time if necessary.
