Sport

Wexford and Leitrim join ranks of the reformists

The list of counties supporting the move to delete Rule 21 continues to grow

By SE┴N MORAN
Wed Nov 14 2001 - 00:00

The list of counties supporting the move to delete Rule 21 continues to grow. Yesterday it was learned that Wexford and Leitrim had voted in favour of GAA president Seβn McCague's initiative in convening Saturday's special congress.

Mayo and Galway have also made up their minds on the issue but will not be making public announcements until the weekend. Although their decisions will not be clear until then, it is virtually certain that Galway will be backing the change. Three years ago it was the county's own Joe McDonagh - then president - who launched the first serious campaign to delete the contentious rule.

Mayo's involvement isn't as clear but it would be a surprise if the county didn't take the same stance as it did in 1998 - to abolish the rule.

It is too early to forecast the result with any certainty given that a number of counties have decided to delay making their intentions clear until the congress itself.

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A two-thirds majority is needed to remove any rule. This places a heavy onus on the initiative. Roughly 300 delegates are expected at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday. This means those in favour of retaining the provision need around 100 votes. With the intentions of half the total still unknown, it's too early to make a confident projection.

The trend so far has, however, been in McCague's favour. Three years ago the entire province of Ulster lined up against change. Now instead of nine counties in unanimity, the worst scenario is 3-6 and possibly 4-5.

The Limerick county board also last night moved to endorse the proposal to delete the rule. County PRO Denis O'Carroll said the motion to abolish Rule 21 had been carried by a large majority.

Of the counties debating the issue last night, today's announcement of the result in Cork will be seen as crucial to those in favouring of retaining Rule 21. The influential Cork board was against repeal when the motion was last tabled in 1998.

Clare will also announce the result of their decisions today. Clare PRO Des Crowe predicted yesterday delegates would approve the erasing of the rule.