GAA MUST ALLOW US TO STAGE GAME FOR VICTIMS
GAA must allow us to stage game for victims'
By Gavin Mairs
OMAGH GAA members today insisted that "rules should be bent" to allow the town's Healy Park to be used to stage a charity soccer match for the bomb victims' appeal.
Their reaction follows a GAA ruling from its headquarters in Dublin forbidding the use of the ground to host a fundraising game between Omagh Town and a top English or Scottish premiership team.
Following the atrocity, several top clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers expressed an interest in taking part in a charity friendly.
But a written request by Omagh Town to the CJAA to use Healy Park to accommodate the expected large crowd to maximise the fundraiser was refused.
A GAA spokesman said that to enable the 22,000-capacity grounds would require a major change to the association's constitution.
But Brendan McAleer, chairman of the St Enda's Club, said that the ruling had caused widespread anger amongst local GAA members.
"Many of our members have been hurt by the association's decision to ban the use of Healy Park for the charity game." he said.
"I have to accept the rules of the association but anyone with any feeling for what happened in Omagh is round to be annoyed with the stance the association has taken.
"We believe every rule can be bent and as a committee are committed to faciliating anything to raise funds."
The Croke Park ruling has incensed local members because many of those killed or injured in the bomb had
strong links with the GAA.
Mena Skelton, wife of prominent Tyrone referee Kevin Skelton, and Joelene Marlow, who played at her local club at Eskra, were among those who died in the blast.
"Members are going to take a decision which puts them outside the association they are members of." added Mr McAleer.
Meanwhile five trustees have been appointed to administer the Omagh bomb victims' fund.
They are: Sean O'Dwyer, JP, OBE, a former deputy chairman off Desmond' and Sons Ltd and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, The Duke of Abercorn, Dr Clifford McCord MBE, a retired GP based in Aughnacloy, Joy McCormick, secretary of Innishowen Womens Network. Co Donegal and Aideen McGinley, chief executive of Fermanagh District Council.
By Gavin Mairs
OMAGH GAA members today insisted that "rules should be bent" to allow the town's Healy Park to be used to stage a charity soccer match for the bomb victims' appeal.
Their reaction follows a GAA ruling from its headquarters in Dublin forbidding the use of the ground to host a fundraising game between Omagh Town and a top English or Scottish premiership team.
Following the atrocity, several top clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers expressed an interest in taking part in a charity friendly.
But a written request by Omagh Town to the CJAA to use Healy Park to accommodate the expected large crowd to maximise the fundraiser was refused.
A GAA spokesman said that to enable the 22,000-capacity grounds would require a major change to the association's constitution.
But Brendan McAleer, chairman of the St Enda's Club, said that the ruling had caused widespread anger amongst local GAA members.
"Many of our members have been hurt by the association's decision to ban the use of Healy Park for the charity game." he said.
"I have to accept the rules of the association but anyone with any feeling for what happened in Omagh is round to be annoyed with the stance the association has taken.
"We believe every rule can be bent and as a committee are committed to faciliating anything to raise funds."
The Croke Park ruling has incensed local members because many of those killed or injured in the bomb had
strong links with the GAA.
Mena Skelton, wife of prominent Tyrone referee Kevin Skelton, and Joelene Marlow, who played at her local club at Eskra, were among those who died in the blast.
"Members are going to take a decision which puts them outside the association they are members of." added Mr McAleer.
Meanwhile five trustees have been appointed to administer the Omagh bomb victims' fund.
They are: Sean O'Dwyer, JP, OBE, a former deputy chairman off Desmond' and Sons Ltd and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, The Duke of Abercorn, Dr Clifford McCord MBE, a retired GP based in Aughnacloy, Joy McCormick, secretary of Innishowen Womens Network. Co Donegal and Aideen McGinley, chief executive of Fermanagh District Council.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0435
Published Date: 25-Sep-98
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