Gaelic Games

Committee meet to hear Fennell case

GAA: DUBLIN FOOTBALLER Eamonn Fennell could have his three-year club transfer wrangle resolved by Monday night.

Eamonn Fennell may have his three-year battle to secure a transfer from his club O'Toole's resolved at the weekend when he appears before the specially convened meeting of the Dublin County Board's Management Committee to consider the cases of players who have had transfer requests turned down by their clubs.
Eamonn Fennell may have his three-year battle to secure a transfer from his club O'Toole's resolved at the weekend when he appears before the specially convened meeting of the Dublin County Board's Management Committee to consider the cases of players who have had transfer requests turned down by their clubs.
Fri Jan 22 2010 - 00:00

GAA:DUBLIN FOOTBALLER Eamonn Fennell could have his three-year club transfer wrangle resolved by Monday night.

Fennell has been trying to move from the O’Toole’s club since 2007, but the north city outfit have repeatedly stood in the way of the powerful midfielder, who has been named in the Dublin panel for the O’Byrne Cup meeting with Meath, at Parnell Park, on Sunday.

Initially, Fennell requested a move for the 2008 season to Ballymun-Kickhams, which was rejected, and subsequently O’Toole’s refused to give the player permission to transfer to St Vincent’s for 2009 and for this year.

Fennell, who has described the O’Toole’s stance on the issue as “heartbreaking” for him, suffered an additional setback when the Competitions’ Control Committee (CCC) of the Dublin County Board recommended his latest transfer application be rejected.

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But despite the CCC’s decision, there could still be light at the end of the tunnel for the powerfully-built 6ft 4in midfielder.

The Dublin County Board have decided to convene a special meeting of their Management Committee this weekend to consider the cases of players who have had transfer requests turned down by their clubs.

“The Management Committee will meet on Friday night and, if necessary, all day on Saturday to hear evidence from the players seeking the transfers,” explained Dublin chairman Gerry Harrington.

“The clubs of the players seeking the transfers will also be entitled to have one representative present at the meeting, and they will also be free to put forward their case.

“The Management Committee will make their decision on the case of each individual player.

“And then the County Committee, comprised by one representative of each senior club, will meet on Monday night and decide whether to uphold, or reject, the recommendations of the Management Committee.

“The County Committee has the ultimate sanction, and runs the GAA in the county,” added Harrington, who will chair the Management Committee meeting.

Should the Management Committee recommend Fennell be permitted to move the short distance along the Malahide Road to St Vincent’s, it is most unlikely the County Committee will take a different stance.

Harrington estimates that between 20 to 30 adult players will be putting forward their case either tonight or tomorrow, and approximately eight or nine juvenile players will also be present seeking authorisation to transfer clubs.

“In the cases of juveniles, they will be represented by a parent or a guardian,” said Harrington .

As well as Harrington, the Management Committee is comprised of John Costello (county secretary and Central Council representative) of Erin’s Isle, Andy Kettle (vice-chairman) of Fingal Ravens, Jim Roche (assistant secretary) of Whitehall-Colmcille, Leinster Council representatives Donal Hickey (Na Fianna) and Jim Roche, football clubs’ representative James Foran (Inisfails), hurling clubs’ representative Seán Shanley (Craobh Chiaráin) and treasurer Seán O’Mahony (Garda).

Harrington added there was no question mark over Fennell’s eligibility to line out in the O’Byrne Cup game on Sunday. “Eamonn Fennell is still a member of the St Laurence O’Toole’s club, and so is free to play for the county team,” he insisted.