THE decision to allow the use of Croke Park for soccer and rugby internationals during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road has once again been condemned by a leading Ulster of"cial.

Describing the move as being 'very partitionist' the province's President, Michael Greenan, said the debate on Rule 42 had not gone away. He was speaking during the Ulster GAA Convention held yesterday when he called for gaelic games to be promoted even more actively to ensure that they are not at a loss as a result of the Croke Park rule amendment.

"We have accepted the decision, but what we cannot and will not accept is a decision by any other body which is contrary to the motion passed at Congress and therefore illegal according to rule, " he said.

"Last week, we received an assurance from Uachtaran Cumann Luthchleas Gael that, should permission not be through, and therefore Lansdowne Road not closed for renovation, then everything changes.

"Recently, following the All Ireland club hurling semi"nal, it was sad to see grown men upset, not just at losing, but at the prospect of not getting into Croke Park to play.

"If you play rugby or soccer, you have a better chance of playing in Croke Park than if you play hurling in Ulster and that doesn't seem right to me, " he added.

In a wide-ranging address, Mr Greenan also hit out at the Central Disciplinary Committee, which he said left a lot to be desired from an Ulster point of view. And, he accused others of going overboard in the reaction to the recent incidents during the Tyrone v Dublin National League tie at Omagh.

"We have read much about the blood bath of Omagh in the media, " he continued. I have seen no blood or heard of no blood in this blood bath and, to me, a blood bath without blood, is like a bath without water."

WANDERERS STATEMENT 'LESS THAN COMPLETE'

Sources within the IRFU have claimed that a statement made by Wanderers RFC earlier in the week was "less than complete and neglected to give an accurate reading of the situation regarding Lansdowne Road".

The original statement by Wanderers earlier last week was in the form of a letter sent to the rugby clubs of Leinster outlining the reason for their ongoing objections over the plans to redevelop Lansdowne Road.

However, the IRFU have countered with their own letter in which it has been pointed out that Wanderers neglected to make clear their demands. Rugby's governing body are believed to be unhappy that Wanderers failed to make it known that they wanted their ticket allocation of approximately 450 tickets for all soccer and rugby internationals as well as concerts, safe guarded for the life of the new stadium, somewhere in the region of 50 years.

The IRFU have said that this would be impossible and would have a negative effect on all other clubs, as it would prevent growing clubs and new clubs in the future from getting a fair share of tickets for the venue.

Wanderers have set up a committee, led by Denis O'Brien, in an attempt to resolve the issue, although sources in the IRFU have said that there is no way they can move on the ticket issue.

Aside from this, other disagreements could be resolved.

OPPONENT CONFIRMED FOR LEE'S DEBUT

Limerick's Andy Lee has had a new opponent confirmed for his eagerly-awaited professional debut in Detroit next Friday night.

The 21-year-old middleweight will fight Michigan's Anthony Cannon . . .a little-known super middleweight who out-pointed Larry Russell last November in his only "ght to date. Lee, who will top the bill at the 20,000 all-seater Joe Louis Arena, was originally scheduled to face Nicholson Poulard, but the Canadian was forced to pull out.

Following his six-rounder against Cannon, Lee is scheduled to appear on the undercard of the IBF world heavyweight title clash between Wladimir Klitschko and Chris Byrd in Mannheim, Germany on April 22.

Lee and Klitschko will train together under the watchful eye of the world-renowned Emmanuel Steward at a camp in Majorca in two weeks.

INJURED THOMAS PULLS OUT OF GAMES

Iwan Thomas has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games after injury led him to believe he would not do himself justice.

Thomas was due to represent Wales in both the individual 400m and 4x400m relay in Melbourne later this month but, after picking up a hamstring injury in training, the 32-year-old decided to pull out.

"It has been one of the toughest decisions of my career, " Thomas said.