GAA stadium Croke Park is not available to soccer and rugby

Donegal county secretary Noreen Doherty has said the GAA should be more "progressive" about opening Croke Park to other sports.

Doherty, in her annual report which will be delivered to next Sunday's county convention, said that the Dublin GAA stadium had proved a "splendid venue" for the Special Olympics.

"However, the fact that Croke Park is only used for something like 21 days in the year for the association, begs the question is that economically viable?" said the Donegal official.

She added that the time had come for a more progressive attitude towards the use of the stadium for other sports.

Current GAA president Sean Kelly is on record as saying that he favours making the 80,000 capacity stadium available to the other footballing codes although he has emphasised that this is a personal opinion.

Kelly's stance is in contrast to previous GAA president Sean McCague who made little secret about his opposition to opening Croke Park to other sports.

Congress decision

With the organisation currently in debt because of the Croke Park development, many in the GAA feel that the association is squandering a huge opportunity to make some badly-needed cash.

There has been speculation that the GAA might be asked to host World Cup soccer qualifiers next autumn.

FAI sources have hinted that Republic of Ireland games might have to be staged in Britain because of the scheduled work at Lansdowne Road with Celtic Park in Glasgow and Anfield mooted as possible venues.

However, GAA public relations officer Danny Lynch has insisted that the FAI has not been in contact with the association over the issue.

He emphasised that only the GAA's annual congress in April could make a decision to open up Croke Park to other sports.

Prominent GAA personality Noel Walsh had said that it would represent "a terrible reflection" on the association if the Irish soccer team was forced to play matches at an overseas venue.