Garda back in Sigerson Cup

COMHAIRLE ARDOIDEACHAIS (CAO), the governing body of the higher-education competitions, is considering asking the GAA's Management Committee for clarification after yesterday's announcement that the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) had reinstated the Garda College into this season's Sigerson Cup.

Last week CAO expelled the Templemore side on the basis that one of their players, Graham Dillon, was ineligible for the defeat of Carlow IT nearly three weeks ago.

That was appealed by the Garda College to the CAC, which found in their favour. As a result the last quarter-final, now between the Garda College and Cork IT, will go ahead this afternoon.

It is believed Carlow IT will decide against pursuing the matter because, as hosts of this year's Sigerson weekend, which begins on Friday, they would be jeopardising their event by delaying the quarter-final any further.

Rule 31 (b) (iii) of the section entitled Eligibility governs the matter and states: ". . . a student pursuing such a course (policing studies) shall be eligible to play in his first academic year if he commences a module before 31st January of that academic year but he shall not be eligible to play any more than two academic years while on any such course."

Dillon was eligible for the 2005-06 season though he didn't play. He then played last season, 2006-07 and again this year.

CAO took the view that it was immaterial to Dillon's case that he hadn't played two seasons ago, as the rule simply regulates eligibility, and that the player was eligible for the maximum two academic years, 2006 and 2007, and then had played again in 2008.

The CAC, however, decided the rule didn't mean what it was intended to mean and that the player was clear to play in this, his third year.

Jack Devaney, chair of CAO, was clearly frustrated when reacting to the news.

"I don't accept that it is a right decision. An appeal should only be granted when there is a clear misapplication of rule. We drafted this rule in such a way as to restrict students in Templemore to two academic years because of the nature of their modules.

"We understand that the guards say that their courses cover three years, but the rule is the rule and if they want to change it there are procedures for doing so. We might ask Coiste Bainistí to give a ruling to clarify the matter."

The GAA's commercial and marketing manager, Dermot Power, said yesterday that confirmation of the new sponsors for the All-Ireland football and hurling championships would be coming in the second half of this month.

"We're just finalising the agreements at the moment," he said. "In all likelihood there'll be an announcement some time after St Patrick's Day and before the beginning of April."

From this year the GAA will have three sponsors for each of the championships.

Meanwhile, the Dublin County Board last night deferred a motion on the intercounty players' awards scheme until next month's meeting, just before annual congress. This will give the county time to consider the final document on the scheme, which is due to go to Central Council for approval on St Patrick's Day.

Last night's meeting also decided to support the resumption of the International Rules series subject to concerns over its impact on the county championship. Applications by DCU and DIT to affiliate to the county championship were turned down.