Six Dublin GAA clubs in Tallaght determined to prevent the half-built stadium intended for Shamrock Rovers from being completed as a soccer-only facility have again indicated they may initiate a judicial review.
Thomas Davis, St Jude's, St Anne's, St Mark's, Faughs and Croí Ro Naofa want the pitch dimensions extended so Gaelic games can be played at Tallaght Stadium.
But the Government insists the stadium will be finished as a soccer-only facility and has instead offered to assist the GAA develop 26 acres of Dublin county board-owned land in Rathcoole.
"What we're looking for is a mirror image to Parnell Park on the southside," spokesman for the six Tallaght clubs David Kennedy said today. "There is no stadium facility on Dublin's southside to promote Gaelic Games."
But Minster for Sport John O'Donoghue is standing his ground, insisting the agreement entered into with Shamrock Rovers would be "abided to".
He said yesterday he was "disappointed with the attitude of some of the (GAA) officials out there".
The GAA today said issues regarding the stadium are causing "considerable concern" to the association. Senior representatives are now seeking a meeting with the Minister.
The Government insists funding for the project will be withdrawn if the stadium - as was once mooted - becomes a muti-sport facility.
But Kennedy has hit back at this stance and says the GAA clubs are considering legal options.
"We'd like the position to be resolved through consensus . . . and are seeking discussions with the Minister. However, we are addressing all the legal aspects and have until April 12th to initiate a judicial review. Certainly we'd prefer not to have to go down that route but it's under consideration."
Kennedy insists the entire Dublin county board, and not just the six Tallaght clubs, are pushing for inclusion in the stadium's plans.
"This issue was raised at the Dublin county committee meeting last week, and all 96 clubs in Dublin have formally taken this on as official Dublin policy," he told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland.
"We've also had discussions with the authorities in Croke Park in the last few days and they've been very supportive of us."
But O'Donoghue is refusing to budge. He reminded the GAA of the Government's €110 million invested in Croke Park as well as 34 per cent of the funding allocated under the sports capital programme that has also gone to the association.
Kennedy insists there is no funding available to develop a new GAA stadium to rival Parnell Park. "The Minister's stance represents a major departure from traditional funding mechanisms for stadia and sporting facilities," he said.
"In the past, the Government has co-funded certain investments for the GAA, but here we have a stadium that will be pretty-much 100 per cent funded by the Government."
Nothing the GAA is doing, Kennedy said, represents negative sentiment towards Shamrock Rovers who, he acknowledged, have "needs and aspirations for priority fixtures" at the stadium.
The Shamrock Rovers board met the Minister last week where he reiterated his position to see the stadium completed as a soccer facility.
Rovers hoped to be in the ground by the end of the current season, although March 2007 is more likely.