Leading GAA officials are effectively politicians. Well, perhaps that's a little unfair. County board men (because they're almost exclusively male) are only in it for the power, not for the money too.
However, like politicians, all county chairmen, secretaries, and so on should be held to account for what they say, their claims analysed and assessed over time.
Politicians often have deeds and remarks from years or even decades ago cast up at them if they're seen to have changed position or simply got it wrong. The same scrutiny should apply to GAA officials.
Some of the scare-mongering voiced about the adverse effects of any alteration to Rule 42 would have been laughable if the speakers didn't seem to take it all so seriously.
Many of the doomsday scenarios painted by those opposed to any change were familiar from the debate about Rule 21, which had prevented 'Crown forces' playing Gaelic Games.
However, troupes of troops and police haven't marched on every gaelic ground around, all demanding to play at full-forward and threatening to sue if they didn't get their way.
Very few Gaels have had to leave their club rather than play or stand on the terraces alongside someone whose work made them feel uncomfortable.
Similarly, Roy Keane hasn't been kicking down the gates of Croke Park to get in to test what studs he'll need on that dodgy pitch. Ronan O'Gara isn't side-stepping stewards in order to practice his place-kicking towards Hill 16.
More seriously, soccer and rugby clubs will NOT be heading to Semple Stadium, Pearse Park, Parnell Park, Brewster Park, or wherever, insisting that they should be able to train and/or play there.
If any of them do, the owners can simply say, 'No, sorry, it's our pitch and we need it then'.
Exactly the same as the GAA's Central Council can say if and when the IRFU or FAI come asking for permission to use Croke Park.
Rule 21 was removed because what was a shield to protect the GAA had become a stick with which to beat the Association.
Rule 42 has been altered temporarily, but the GAA rightly remains in control of its own grounds.
In the meantime, the world won't stop spinning, Croke Park won't crumble to its foundations, and those who wanted Rule 42 retained unchanged won't have to give up the GAA and direct their time and efforts elsewhere.
Then again, perhaps some of them really prefer petty politics to sport.
If I'm wrong, certain GAA officials will be very quick – and very happy – to remind me of what was written in this column.
If, on the other hand, their worst fears/predictions don't come close to realisation, will they be as willing to admit their remarks were wild over-reactions?
