Sean McCague makes his final speech as GAA president

The prospects of Croke Park being opened to other sports in the near future appear remote judging by comments from outgoing GAA president Sean McCague on Saturday.

McCague, making his final Congress speech as president before handing on the reins to Kerryman Sean Kelly, said that it was "a reality that the majority of our members are against change to Rule 42 at this time".

In what many will interpret as a hardline speech, McCague claimed the GAA had received unfair criticism from "begrudgers" over the Croke Park issue.

"Forgive me for reiterating a few simple statements of fact for the record," said McCague.

"The issue was debated at the last two Congresses.

"We know the reasons that the issue is not being discussed at this Congress.

"For those who seem to have conducted a selective plebiscite, let me remind them of the consultation conducted by me in advance of the Rule 21 Congress.

"Analogous consultation has taken place and contrary to their speculative and self-serving conclusions, the reality is that the majority of our members are against change to Rule 42 at this time".

The mere notion of professionalism in any form should be discounted Sean McCague

McCague's comments on the Rule 42 were greeted by a major round of applause within the hall.

President-elect Kelly is regarded as much more liberal than McCague.

In his acceptance speech, Kelly acknowledged that his personal views on the Croke Park issue differ to McCague's.

Indeed, Kelly reminded delegates of his intention to allow Central Council to debate a Roscommon motion which calls for a national ballot of all clubs on the Rule 42 issue.

However he added that he had a "duty to uphold the and defend the policy of the association".

If Sean McCague is correctly reading the mood of the GAA, the widespread belief that a financial imperative will force the association to open Croke Park to other sports soon would appear to be wide of the mark.

However, new president Kelly hinted that he would be prepared to listen to hold discussions with the IRFU and the FAI over the use of Croke Park.

"It has to be borne in mind that, contrary to popular myth, the two main sporting organisations, the FAI and the IRFU, who may require the magnificent new facility that is Croke Park, have never asked for it," said Kelly.

New GAA president Sean Kelly (right) with Liam Mulvihill

"Only time will tell whether these two organisations, make a definite decision to request the use of our National Stadium, considered by many to be the ultimate reflection of the confident modern Ireland we feel privileged to live in".

In his speech, McCague warned against any drift towards professionalism within the GAA.

"The mere notion of professionalism in any form should be discounted, allowing us all to move on and create a realistic climate in which players and administrators can co-exist and get down to the real business".

In terms of motions, a proposal from the Thomas Davis club in Dublin to introduce a qualifier systems for the All-Ireland Club Championship was defeated.

Also defeated was a motion which called for the removal of the ban on the use of non-Irish made gear within GAA units.

However, the motion to separate club and county suspensions for minor offences was accepted by a large majority.

Meanwhile, former Kerry county secretary Tony O'Keeffe was appointed as the new chairman of the Games Administration Committee.

New president Kelly has said that he intends to simplify the GAA's rulebook and also reduce the amount of committees and numbers serving on such bodies.