Sir, - There is an ancient rule in the GAA Official Guide that states that the penalty for playing an unregistered player "shall be loss of match on an objection". Up to 1971 players of all ages were subject to registration. A special congress that year excluded players under 16 years from registration and a special congress in 1986 pushed the registration threshold to 18 years, save where an under 18 is competing at higher level. That scenario represents official thinking.
But that's not the whole case. Apparently it is the official perception that all age registration can be legitimately restored by county bye law. The county byelaw is the subordinate legislative arm of the GAA. Up to 1986 the Official Guide authorised counties to make bye laws - I quote - "as they deemed necessary for the better working of the association in their respective counties". That dispensation disappeared following the 1986 special congress and from there on 12 rules only - out of a total of 159 - may be amended by county bye law. The amendments are marginal and clearly signposted in every case. Amendment of the rules governing registration is reserved to congress exclusively. It is not apparent therefore how all age registration can be legitimately restored without recourse to congress.
Is all age registration necessary for efficient administration as appears to be the official perception? With registration out of the way, and documentation in regard to age and identity taken for granted, proof in under age competitions for boy or beast would be in place still and it should suffice for insurance purposes and membership statistics. Without registration the pettiness and rancour, often a feature of registration objections, would vanish like ghosts at cock crow, as would an irritant for clubs promoting our games among juveniles. - Yours, etc.,
Victoria Road,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.