GAA headquarters is not available to any other sport

It was expected that a motion to discuss opening up Croke Park to Association Football and Rugby Union would provoke plenty of debate.

However, the motion from Co Clare club St Joseph's contained the same technical errors which were made last year when it was ruled out of order.

Sean McCague, the out-going GAA President said that no obstacle was put in the way of the motion other than the failings of the sponsors themselves.

''It was ruled out of order becasue the motion cut across other rules,'' he said.

''It contradicted itself and was in conflict with Rule 42.

''It was pointed out last year to the sponsor and the county, that it was out of order but, despite this, the motion came back worded exactly the same.

''I did say at the end of the debate last year that it needed to be properly in order.

''It is the same with any motion. It has to be properly in order, but they re-submitted exactly the same motion.''

McCague, however, said that the issue of opening up Croke Park was still a live one and insisted that, under the rules governing Congress, as long as a motion is framed properly and in order it will be debated in the usual way.

Meanwhile, the Allianz NHL games scheduled for 30 March, have been re-arranged for the previous day to avoid a clash with the Ireland v England rugby international.