Seán McCague

Seán McCague is a former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association (2000-2003). McCague was born in Scotstown, County Monaghan and became the first Monaghan man to hold that prestigious office.

As President he will be mostly remembered for the removal of Rule 21 in November 2001.cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/2934005.stm|title= A tame Congress on the cards|accessdate=2007-08-20 |format= |work= ] Rule 21 banned members of the British security forces (who were an unwelcome force for most GAA fans) from playing Gaelic games.cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1660575.stm|title= Gaelic sport ends forces ban|accessdate=2007-08-20 |format= |work= ] The rule was abolished despite the opposition of five of the six northern counties (Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone).

At the annual 2001 GAA Congress McCague convinced Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to pledge €76 million towards the redevelopment of Croke Park. This amount was later reduced to €38 million.

McCague was seen as a conservative leader of the GAA and was an opponent of the removal of the contentious Rule 42 (which prohibited the playing of soccer and rugby in GAA grounds). The Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Government proposed a joint bid with the Scottish Football Association to host Euro 2008. McCague refused to allow Croke Park to be used in the plans, which annoyed Ahern.

BBC Sport admit McCague's reign has some difficulties, but describe his three years as "a skilful stewardship of the association".

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