ANNUAL CONGRESS: THE GAELIC Players Association (GPA) was officially recognised at the annual GAA congress in Newcastle, Co Down, on Saturday.
After the most fractious debate of the weekend, delegates voted overwhelmingly to recognise the GPA as the official representative body for intercounty players.
Proposed and seconded by former presidents Nickey Brennan and Seán Kelly, the motion also attracted supporting speeches on the floor from the Waterford, Dublin and Offaly delegations.
Saying that relations between the GAA and the GPA had been characterised “by suspicion, mistrust and pay-for-play as a perceived motivation”, Brennan said that ultimately the GAA had found “we had an awful lot in common with our players”.
He pointed out that amateur status had been protected, and a comprehensive document setting out the new relationship in detail would be published later this year.
“It won’t eliminate all friction,” he said, “but there will be greater harmony and trust with all of our players. We’re sending out a strong message to intercounty players that they are critical partner in the future of the association.”
Kelly added that “to deny this motion would be going backwards at an almighty rate”.
The GPA representative on Central Council, Dessie Farrell, said he would like to focus on the positives in the recognition. “We’ve seen the disharmony that can be created (between players and officials) and this will go a long way to ensuring that this doesn’t happen in the future.”
He added that “it enshrines protection of amateur status in the GPA constitution”.
Opposition was spear-headed by Tyrone delegate Mark Conway, a long-time opponent of the GPA, who, as a preliminary, sought to have his motion prohibiting special recognition for any grouping taken first. This was ruled out.
He then opposed the motion, turning his back on the top table to face delegates and arguing that, were the motion to succeed, it would create “a golden circle”. He also criticised “the huge financial package of €1.6 million” that is to be made available to player welfare projects. He asked what would happen if the GPA ends up in conflict with the GAA.
Conway was sharply criticised by Kilkenny secretary Ned Quinn: “It adds nothing to congress for someone to turn his back on the elected president of our association and I condemn him for it.”
There was a warm reception given to a contribution from the oldest surviving former president, Paddy McFlynn of Down, who said he had “grave reservations” about the motion.
But the motion was overwhelmingly carried.
The motion to give Central Council permanent responsibility for the leasing of Croke Park to other sports was endorsed by a large margin. Proposed by Clare – four other counties also had motions down in favour – the motion was opposed primarily on the basis that it was creating a conflict between Croke Park and other grounds.
Cork delegate Bob Honohan (a consistent critic of allowing rugby and soccer into GAA venues) said it would lead to charges of hypocrisy. Brendan Harkin of Tyrone said that if commercial considerations were to be a priority, Croke Park should be organising exhibition soccer tournaments.
Conway was in the spotlight again when he proposed a motion calling on the salary of director general Páraic Duffy to be made public. This motion struggled to find a seconder and was vigorously opposed, before being defeated with only two votes in favour.
A significant proposal to extend the developmental Go Games model to the under-12 age group, with an emphasis on participation rather than winning and in which teams are 11-a-side with all players participating, was passed.
A proposal from Longford club Legan Sarsfields to halt the practice of incidents being referred back to the match referee and empower the CCCC with a citing function was defeated.
The critical contribution came from Liam Keane, chair of the central hearings committee, who opposed the idea. “It would in effect derogate to the committee a power I believe should be a referee’s.”
Finally, it’s likely the Railway Cup has been played for the last time. Following Friday night’s decision to suspend the interprovincial competition for this year, president Christy Cooney, asked after the close of congress on Saturday whether it was effectively dead, said: “The short answer is I do.”
The Motions
Motions 1-49:Proposed playing rule changes, including the experimental rules that have been trialled in this year's national leagues.
Rejected at Friday night’s opening session were: the mark, more restrictive interpretation of the hand pass, relaxation of the square-ball rule, playing on at the end of each half until the ball has gone dead. All proposed by Central Council.
Congress accepted the closer-in penalty and kick-outs from the 13-metre line.
The following motions arose on Saturday:
The introduction of a hooter, as in women's football and International Rules, to signal the end of a half or the match on a trial basis in next year's national leagues. Accepted
That yellow and red cards be scrapped for hurling, but not football. Rejected
Two points to be awarded when a sideline cut is put over the bar. Rejected Withdrawn
Making gum shields compulsory in all matches and training sessions. Withdrawn(pending in-put from the medical, scientific welfare committee)
Video referees be appointed from senior provincial finals up to All-Ireland finals. Withdrawn(pending assessment by CCCC)
Motions 50-123 concerned more general issues, including the recognition of the GPA, consequent on last November’s agreement between the GPA and Croke Park.
That accord required approval of congress, which was proposed by Central Council. Accepted
Another motion from Croke Park concerned the hurling championship. Under the proposals there will be no relegation between the various tiers this year or in 2011 and 2012. Ring Cup winners may opt to contest the following season's MacCarthy Cup, which as a result could expand to 16 teams by 2012. Accepted
There were also five motions calling on the use of Croke Park by other sports to be permanently policed by Central Council. Accepted
Other general proposals:
Central Council proposes to reduce the minimum congress delegation (4 to 2). Withdrawn (because of the inability of many affected overseas units to attend)
A second chance for provincial champions in the All-Ireland football qualifiers. Withdrawn Rejected
Abolition of qualifiers in minor football championship. Rejected
Open draw in All-Ireland minor and under-21 championships. Withdrawn
Abolition of the All-Ireland junior championships and the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship. Rejected
Match bans instead of time bans to be used. Withdrawn(pending further proposals from Croke Park)
The practice of the Central Competitions Control Committee of referring matters back to a match referee for video re-appraisal to be scrapped and the CCCC take over the function of video review for incidents not seen by the match referee or where the incidents are considered more serious than deemed by him. Rejected
That the weighted majority necessary to pass rule changes be reduced from two-thirds to three-fifths . Rejected
A drastic curtailing of Central Council powers to prevent the recommendations of Croke Park sub-committees being proposed by Central Council. Rejected
A proposal that inter aliarecommended all trophies be altered so that they can't be filled with alcohol or any liquid was put forward by Shannon Gaels in Cavan. Accepted
