Whether Greenan's ears were open during Kelly's speech, we don't know, but if they were, they missed a cracker. In thanking Ulster in general for the manner in which they accepted last year's decision, Kelly extended congratulations in particular to Greenan, ?a man of diverse sporting experiences", saying it was apt that it was Greenan who represented the GAA at George Best's funeral. Boom, boom! Ah, you missed it, Michael!

The rest of his speech was, in the tradition of all outgoing presidents, tame enough, essentially being about how he ?enjoyed it all" and how he had ?no regrets". He defended his record on discipline, saying that ?the cases won against the CDC last year won't be won again . . . the days of great escapes are over" due to the work of Frank Murphy's Rule Book Task Force and its recommendations being passed at Congress yesterday. He also promised that this year's upcoming International Rules series would have ?stricter disciplinary rules", and that an upcoming meeting with the AFL in Dubai would consider rule changes such as reducing the distance a player can carry the ball from 10 steps to six, increasing the value of the goal to seven points and limiting the number of inter-change players to four per quarter.

He also paid tribute to the HDC, Sports Minister John O'Donoghue for having ?no strings attached", to the initial 40 million euro grant the GAA received in Kelly's presidency, and welcomed the advent of Setanta into the TV market, claiming that he had a personal ?dislike for monopolies", and that it would be interesting to observe the development of the fledgling station in the immediate future.

He chaired the meeting in his charming yet shrift way, making the occasional worthwhile suggestion as well as interjection. When Louth proposed that counties in the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups be entitled to play five outside players who either work in the county or have a parent born in the county, without transferring from the club in their native county, Kelly asked would three not be a more appropriate number. ?I'm in favour of this motion in principle but five is a third of a team. It's fine for Kerry who have Cork and Limerick nearby. Donegal don't. You're creating an imbalance. Geographical location is bound to have a bearing on this." As it turned out, the motion . . . which was fully supported by Kilkenny's Ned Quinn and Cork's Frank Murphy . . . was passed in its entirety. Obviously Congress disagreed with him. But at least they heard him. And they respected him. Well, maybe not Greenan.

Not that Kelly cared. ?I enjoyed it all and have no regrets, " he said. Nor unfortunately did Greenan. Three hours after Kelly's speech, Congress again rose to bid adios amigo, on Liam Mulvihill's suggestion. Everyone except Mr Greenan, that is.

At least he had his eyes open.