Boothman delays decision on ballot

THE fate of the controversial proposals for reform of the All Ireland hurling championships hangs in the balance after GAA President Jack Boothman decided last night to "sleep on it" and postpone making a decision on the balloting procedure to be pursued.

The other main developments on the opening day of the GAA's first Annual Congress to be held outside Ireland was the expected withdrawal from the presidential race of Clare's Noel Walsh, currently chairman of the Munster Council leaving just two candidates, Sean McCague (Monaghan) and Joe McDonagh (Galway).

"I will not be standing in the election," said Walsh. "I have two years of my chairmanship of the Munster Council to go and will see that out. I was honoured and surprised to be considered but feel that it is not the appropriate moment. But I am declaring definitely that I will be a candidate in three years.

Earlier, at the meeting of the GAA's Central Council, held before the official opening of this year's Congress at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, Booth man deferred the expected ruling that the proposals be given a two year trial period and would require only a simple, rather than weighted, majority.

Boothman's reluctance to pronounce on the issue stemmed from, a testy, Central. Council meeting at which objections were raised to the use of simple majority vote to decide the issue.

He had solicited the views of Central Council and both Gerry Brady (Dublin) and Oliver Kelly (Antrim) both delegates are practising lawyers raised objections to the adoption of simple majority voting was trying to divorce the personal feelings people had about the issue from their opinions on the precedents that exist, said the president who added that he would make up his mind on the ruling today.

Kelly argued that the removal of a rule had to have a two thirds majority but Kerry's Ger McKenna countered that the proposals constituted suspension rather than removal.

As over 300 delegates gathered opinions were mixed as to whether the proposals best known of which is the concept of re-admitting the beaten Leinster and Munster finalists to the All Ireland stages would succeed.

Recent indications have been that despite an initially hostile reception, attitudes were swinging back in favour of the proposals. Reading between the lines of the Central Council exchanges, it is now very likely that a simple majority would be secured but a two thirds majority looks unlikely.

Arguments between the two procedures rest on whether the proposals are a full alteration to the rules or a less substantial change.

On the evidence of the motions list, the answer looks simple.

Motion 15a, proposes the change simpliciter which would obviously require a two thirds majority whereas l5b, proposes that temporary amendments or enact events need only a simple majority.

The thinking behind this dual approach was that if A were to be accepted, it would be for a two year period at the end of which the weighted requirement would switch so that it would then need two thirds majority to remove the proposals.

If, however, B is to be accepted, it appears reasonable that a simple majority should suffice.

Meanwhile in a Speech to the opening session, the chairman of the London board, John Lacey made some comments on the peace process take this opportunity to appeal to the British government and John Major to be honest with the Irish people and move the peace process forward. The majority of the British people want action as much as the Irish.

"The Irish have done more for Britain than any other ethnic community but get less. Why? A quarter of a million Irish people fought in two world wars for Britain. What did they get for it. No Irish need apply signs. We are not looking for anything for ourselves. We are demanding action for the good people of Ulster.

The problem was caused by Britain and can only be resolved by Britain.

"I call on John Major to listen to the majority of the British people and the majority of the Irish likewise and let us have peace in the island we love so well."

. With just four weeks to go to their Munster senior football championship clash against holders, Cork, Limerick have been hit by a double blow. Two of their regulars, midfielder John O'Halloran and forward Derek Ryan, have both gone to the United States for a three months period in their employment.

Manager Dave Quirke said "We're already short on experience and this is a real killer blow to us. We would like to fly them back for the match but I don't think it is practical, given the expense involved.

. Champions Kilkenny have run into some serious problems in the run up to their National Hurling League quarter final against Division Two promotion winners Laois. Team captain Michael Phetan and defender Padraig Larkin have only slim chances of figuring in the Thurles match on Sunday week.

Phelan, has been sidelined with a neck injury and Larkin has a serious shoulder problem. "It will be to up and go whether or not either of them will be fit for the match, said Kilkenny manager Nickey Brennan.