General reaction: Well-known sporting personalities give their reaction to Saturday's decision:

John Motherway (Cork PRO)

"The GAA has always been accused of being undemocratic but in the end of the day we are all together and will be motoring on with the business that we are supposed to do.

"I though it would be closer. Seven or eight votes the other way would have changed the whole thing but that is democracy. People have different opinions and we have to respect those. We are all in the same organisation and promotion of our games is what it's all about.

"The power has been shifted to the Central Council but the other organisations (IRFU and FAI) have never requested it (use of Croke Park) so it depends on whether they do or not now. That decision will have to be taken if that day comes."

Justin McCarthy (Waterford hurling manager)

"I am very disappointed to be honest. The GAA should look after their own affairs and look after their own stadium, which is Croke Park and part and parcel of the whole GAA tradition.

"This has been media driven in a way, people are getting carried away. They don't see the long-term implications that it could hinder progress by giving an advantage to other national sports.

"The whole trend of the GAA is changing. I am involved in it 50 years lad and I feel the GAA shouldn't have given any ground on this one. What are the advantages?

"I don't think it has been fully explained and I don't think the pluses and the minuses have been fully examined. A lot of people just wanted to vote for it and get it out of the way. Open it up for what though? So people can get tickets to go see a rugby match? I'm disappointed with the way the whole thing is going."

Brian Whelahan (Offaly hurler)

"I'm all for it on a temporary basis, until Lansdowne is redeveloped, that we accommodate the FAI and IRFU so the ordinary supporter doesn't have to travel abroad to watch what would be a home game for both teams.

"I was sceptical enough when I heard secret ballot, that it might not have gone through. I'm quite pleased that it has. The ball is now with the other associations. The dates of rugby and soccer seem to overlap with our off-season so I think there won't be much of a problem."

John O'Mahony (Former Galway football manager)

"I supported a vote for change and I'm glad that it has got through but I respect the other opinion as well.

"All the vote did was give power to Central Council so there are still a few fences to be jumped and it is important that the GAA's priority is to have the pitch for its own players but in certain circumstances at least their hands aren't tied.

"The GAA can still surprise a few people. We have our rows but when fundamental issues are up no one can accuse the GAA of being bigoted anymore. It was done in a dignified manner and I would be proud of what happened. If it doesn't work or Central Council decide it's not available I would fully respect that as well."

Joe Kernan (Armagh football manager)

"All the clubs in the country had a say and many of the counties had a say so it was passed in a fair way but there is nothing in stone yet. I am sure the rugby and soccer bodies will look at it and say fair play to the GAA for what they have done but that is only one part of the jigsaw.

"I think they have done the honourable thing but if it is opened and they do make a lot of money I would like to think that money will be put back into the counties. I'm sure they will do what's right. It was a hard decision to make by all."

Pat McEnaney (Intercounty referee)

"I wasn't surprised. I think there was a certain amount of pressure from the media on the secret ballot beforehand regarding whether the delegates would vote with the county mandate. That never materialised.

"I'm on record as saying when Lansdowne Road is under construction we should let Croke Park be used. I think the right decision was made. It's a bit like Rule 21 when we used the stick to beat our own back for years. That is gone now. Who knows what will happen next regarding Lansdowne Road but what happened at Congress is the way forward."

Andy O'Brien (Irish soccer international)

"I think it's fantastic. I don't think that we would have any problems filling it and it would be an honour to play there.

"I've never been inside it to be honest but we've driven past it so many times on the way to Lansdowne and it looks incredible.

"All I've got to do now is make sure I stay in the team for the next few years so I get the chance to play there."

Shay Given (Irish soccer international)

"I've been there the last couple of years to see Donegal play and it's superb. I think the atmosphere that we could create there for a big game would be great and the sooner we get to play there the better.

"I never got to play in Croke Park when I was playing Gaelic football so it would be great to play soccer there now. The sooner they do it the better, maybe they should start the redevelopment work now.

"It's wonderful news and I think the GAA deserve a lot of credit for doing this."

Ronan O'Gara (Irish rugby international)

"I think it's great. It mightn't apply for a few years yet but the big thing, for me, was the fact that thousands of Irish supporters might have had to go to Cardiff, Wembley or wherever. It's expensive enough for Munster supporters to go to Dublin, but to go abroad for home games would be asking too much.

"The Munster and Irish supporters have been unbelievable and playing at Croke Park in front of 80,000 fans could add another new dimension to our support. Half the Munster supporters are GAA people anyway."

Anthony Foley (Irish rugby international)

"I think it's brilliant, awesome. It's good that the sporting bodies are helping each other. When you're growing up and playing GAA like I was as a kid, obviously it was a place I'd love to have played in. You'd never have dreamed of playing rugby there but there might be an opportunity now.

"It would be a great experience, and there might be one or two extra tickets as well. It has to be a step forward."