VICTIMS FUND TO GET GAA REPLAY CASH
Victims' fund to get GAA replay cash
By Michael Devine
THE fund for the Omagh victims is set to benefit substantially from a referee's blunder which brought an early end to the All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Clare and Offaly.
Referee Jimmy Cooney blew the final whistle two minutes too earlv, halting the game at Croke Park on Saturday which means the match is to be replayed next Saturday in Thurles.
This will mean a cash bonanza of over IR�200,000 for the GAA.
There is a strong feeling throughout the association that the Omagh fund should benefit substantially from the proceeds of the replay.
Independent TD for Kerry South Jackie Healy-Rae today called on the GAA to donate the proceeds from next Saturday's gate receipts to Omagh.
He said the GAA had made enough money from the Clare-Offaly semi-final, which has already been replayed once because of a drawn first game, and that the association should "make a gesture to the people of Omagh."
The President of the GAA, Joe McDonagh, who is in the process of establishing a fund to aid the victims of Omagh, is expected to announce a substantial donation will be made from the proceeds of next Saturday's game.
He said that contributions will be made to the fund from both the hurling and football championships at a central level.
The amount has yet to he decided.
By Michael Devine
THE fund for the Omagh victims is set to benefit substantially from a referee's blunder which brought an early end to the All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Clare and Offaly.
Referee Jimmy Cooney blew the final whistle two minutes too earlv, halting the game at Croke Park on Saturday which means the match is to be replayed next Saturday in Thurles.
This will mean a cash bonanza of over IR�200,000 for the GAA.
There is a strong feeling throughout the association that the Omagh fund should benefit substantially from the proceeds of the replay.
Independent TD for Kerry South Jackie Healy-Rae today called on the GAA to donate the proceeds from next Saturday's gate receipts to Omagh.
He said the GAA had made enough money from the Clare-Offaly semi-final, which has already been replayed once because of a drawn first game, and that the association should "make a gesture to the people of Omagh."
The President of the GAA, Joe McDonagh, who is in the process of establishing a fund to aid the victims of Omagh, is expected to announce a substantial donation will be made from the proceeds of next Saturday's game.
He said that contributions will be made to the fund from both the hurling and football championships at a central level.
The amount has yet to he decided.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0240
Published Date: 24-Aug-98
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