The GAA ex-presidents have spoken. Their Motions Committee have welded the doors of Croke Park shut.

And the reaction from some leading voices on the ground to the decision to pull all motions on Rule 42 from next month's Congress has been one of shock, mixed with anger.

The rule would probably not have been altered, this year at least, but denying even a discussion brings into question the idea that the grassroots can rely on the democratic processes of the organisation. A year has been lost for those who wish to see Croke Park open its gates.

Yesterday, three of Gaelic football's most respected managers - Seán Boylan, Brian McEniff and John O'Mahony - expressed their disappointment that eight separate county motions touching on Rule 42 had been deemed out of order.

"That's their prerogative to take," said Boylan "But it's also the delegates' prerogative to have an opinion. For an organisation to have made the strides we have made, with the building of this stadium, and then deny discussions on it is wrong. It becomes like a dictatorship and I don't like that.

"Surely we are not afraid of our own members. They certainly are not afraid to give their time. How can eight counties' motions be wrong? If this is the case, how many decisions have been taken when the wrong rules have been made? It's very hard to accept. I can't see how in the name of God we can call ourselves an association. It doesn't come over as clean and I would be disturbed by that."

The Meath manager, one of the most respected figures in the GAA, doesn't see the opening of Croke Park for rugby or soccer as a threat to Gaelic games.

"I wouldn't object to any other sports being played at Croke Park because I know our game is good enough to withstand them."

McEniff, the Donegal manager and former county board chairman, is also dismayed by the decision to strike the motions off the clár before Congress convenes on April 16th and 17th.

"I'm disappointed that there'll be no discussion in Killarney on the matter. I was looking forward to it. It was alright last time (the motions were accepted in previous years); I can't understand why they wouldn't be okay again."

Though he agreed it was within the committee's right, McEniff felt the decision may be a direct response to gathering criticism from outside the organisation.

"I have great respect for the men who voted not to hear it. They are very honourable men. They would believe in what they are doing. I just don't agree with them. Democracy is the best part of this organisation. The GAA is a slow-moving organisation. The more you poke at it, as has happened from those outside, the more chance there was of it closing ranks.

"However, farther down the line, and not too far away, the current President, Seán Kelly - and his views on the issue are well documented - could well call a special Congress to vote on the issue."

Galway manager O'Mahony echoed the views of his peers.

"It's no secret that I'm in favour of opening Croke Park if it didn't affect our game. I'm disappointed that it's no longer on the agenda."

The Gaelic Players' Association Chief Executive, Dessie Farrell, expressed anger.

"This is a blatant and dictatorial departure from anything resembling democracy, and one would have to question the structures and procedures that have ultimately delivered this body blow to the GAA's membership," he said.

Farrell called for a "full and democratic hearing" at the highest levels of the organisation, saying he leaned toward opening the stadium doors for financial gain and to improve relationships with other Irish sporting organisations.

"The question must now be asked just where this top table actually resides. Is it within the supposedly hallowed but arguably flawed democracy of Congressor among a gathering of former presidents under the innocuous banner of the Motions Committee?

"The average GAA person has never been as far removed from the decision-making process, and we would urge all units and members of the association to persevere with the difficult questions that need answering at this time.

"From the players' perspective . . . the consensus would indicate a strong disposition towards providing access on the grounds of revenue generation and solidarity with our sporting peers in other codes."