Four counties to fight grants

At least four counties are set to bring motions to the GAA's 2008 annual congress protesting at the payment of Government grants…

At least four counties are set to bring motions to the GAA's 2008 annual congress protesting at the payment of Government grants to intercounty footballers and hurlers, it emerged last night.

A poorly-attended protest meeting in Cavan last night heard that Armagh, Fermanagh, Derry and Tyrone all plan to table motions for the congress, which will be held in Sligo.

And it was proposed the four counties would work together to ensure the motion gets on to the programme for the congress, and then receives support from delegates around the country.

Just 60 people turned up for the meeting, compared to the almost 500 who attended a similar meeting in Co Antrim earlier this month.

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"We accept this is a bad week for people to be coming to a meeting, in the run-up to Christmas, but we will continue to fight and we will bring this matter to the notice of GAA people all over the country," said Fermanagh GAA member Hugh Kelly, who chaired the ad-hoc meeting.

Disaffected GAA members from 11 counties attended the meeting, but there was resolve among the gathering that the campaign should be stepped up after Christmas.

There was strong criticism of the GAA hierarchy for allowing a recent Central Council decision to rubberstamp the controversial €3.5 million in grants without canvassing the opinion of grassroots GAA members.

"This is pay-for-play. This will fundamentally change the direction of the GAA, which was build on the ethic of volunteerism. Once this comes in, we are creating division between the club player and the county player," said one speaker.

The protesters - who have a website www.ofonebelief.org - are also planning to bring the matter to the GAA's Disputes Resolutions Authority in the new year.

Tyrone GAA member Mark Conway is adamant the payment of the grants is in breach of Rule 11 on the GAA's own Official Guide in that it contravenes amateurism.

And it was proposed that any discussion on the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) gaining formal recognition within the GAA should not be taken by the Central Council.

"This is a fundamental policy decision for the GAA, and it should only be taken by Congress," said one speaker.

A steering committee has been formed to oversee the protest in 2008, and contact will be made with members nationwide to seek their support for a campaign to reverse the decision to support the GAA grants.

Chairman Kelly claimed the document which accompanied the announcement of the grant had "already almost collapsed."

He also queried how many intercounty players were dissatisfied with their lot and said ascertaining the level of disenchantment would also be a priority for the campaign.

"This grants scheme has critical flaws. Down the road, we need to hold meetings in each county to drum up support," he said.

Fermanagh county chairman Peter Carthy attended last night's meeting and also spoke strongly against the grants.

Galway's leading GAA officials have switched positions to satisfy the maximum five-year rule in the same post.

The musical chairs see the secretary for the past 17 years, Bernie O'Connor, move to take over the treasurer's post.

That position has been vacated by Tommy Kelly, who was there for 16 years and now becomes vice-chairman.

Vice-chairman Michael Monaghan, another long-serving officer, becomes secretary.

Pat Fitzgerald has won the race to become the first full-time secretary of the Clare County Board.

Sixmilebridge clubman Fitzgerald, father of goalkeeper Davy, has been the board's secretary for the last 16 years.

The death has taken place of one of long-serving Leitrim GAA officials, Tony McGowan.