Third-level institutions win support

Third-level institutions survived unscathed as moves to change eligibility rules for the provincial and All-Ireland club championships were defeated during Saturday afternoon's debate at congress.

A motion from Athenry in Galway proposed to debar third-level colleges from participating and stipulated that should they win a county championship, the relevant county board shall nominate another club to represent it.

There was support from Dublin where UCD's presence in the county hurling - and to a lesser extent, football - championship has caused controversy in recent seasons.

Jack Devanney, chair of the colleges' governing Comhairle Árd Oideachais, pointed out that proposals to tighten the regulations on third-level participation, passed at the 2006 congress, and due to take effect this year should be given a chance.

Cork's Frank Murphy said that his county was supportive of the role played and contribution made by third-level institutions in the association.

The motion was heavily defeated and deemed not to have received a third of the votes, meaning that the issue cannot be raised again for another three years.

There was also defeat for a motion to readmit divisional teams to the club championship (although East Kerry won the first All-Ireland in 1971, divisional sides have been excluded since shortly afterwards).

Clonaslee-St Manman's in Laois proposed the change provided the division represents no more than three clubs and a population of not greater than 6,000.

The full text of Nickey Brennan's annual address can be read on www.ireland.com/focus