Keane highlights effectiveness of the DRA

CENTRAL COUNCIL MEETING:THE DISPUTES Resolution Authority came into existence midway through 2005 as the GAA sought a means to dissuade players from seeking court injunctions to enable them to play when under suspension.

At Saturday's Central Council meeting the DRA secretary, Liam Keane, made an upbeat presentation to the delegates highlighting the effectiveness of the arbitration body.

For starters, the number of cases has dropped from a high of 37 in 2006 to 23 this year, only five of which have been successful.

"Ultimately, I suppose we are at two cases a month," said Keane yesterday.

"Ten to 15 cases a year would be a reasonable level."

Of the 23 this year, four were individual cases brought by the Meath players suspended as a result of the melee in the National League encounter against Dublin in Parnell Park.

"So really it can be classed as 19 cases, which is down from 24 cases in 2007," said Keane, who was asked to provide an explanation behind the decrease in cases being brought to arbitration.

"First, I identified that when the DRA was first set up there were a number of cases floating around for a number years within the GAA disciplinary system. They tried the arbitration route and have now been dealt with.

"Secondly, cases are published and people can see what is appropriate for arbitration now. Precedents have been set as well.

"But most significantly, the introduction in January 2007 of new disciplinary rules have contributed to the drop in cases.

"The new system seems to be working in that far more cases are being satisfactorily solved within the GAA disciplinary system."

And so, judging from the current positive reaction, the DRA appears to have found an effective and permanent niche in the GAA disciplinary machine.

"The place of the DRA and the role of arbitration is now more clearly established and recognised," Keane explained.

"Sports arbitration generally is recognised as a more appropriate avenue than going through the courts.

"Any sporting body or person who felt obliged to use the court route before generally feels arbitration is a better way. Ideally, these issues would be settled through negotiation but this will not always be the case."

Meanwhile, Croke Park have confirmed there will be no increase in ticketing prices in 2009.

That means All-Ireland final stand tickets will remain at €70, the four All-Ireland semi-finals will be priced at €45, and the eight quarter-finals at €35.

The price of a National League tickets will also be unchanged at €15 for stand seats with the exception of the Dublin versus Tyrone fixture, which is part of the GAA 125-year celebrations.

Stand tickets for this match, under lights at Croke Park on Saturday January 31st, will be €20 with €15 for a terrace ticket.

It was also confirmed by Central Council that there will be no designated teams in the first round of the All-Ireland football championship qualifiers in 2009 and that the first team drawn in each tie would be entitled to the home venue.