OMAGH SIDE BID TO END GAA ONLY RULE
Omagh side bid to end 'GAA only' rule
By Orla Bannon
OMAGH St Enda's are appealing to the GAA to allow other sports to be played at gaelic grounds in "exceptional circumstances" for the purpose of raising money for charity.
The Association refused to allow St Enda's to stage a charity soccer match to raise funds in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb, but the Tyrone club are persisting with the concept and have submitted a motion to go before county convention on Sunday.
The club want to amend Rule 42 to include: "In exceptional circumstances, when it is clear that purpose is for fundraising for a charitable cause, Central Council may permit the use of GAA grounds for the playing of any game".
Club chairman Brendan McAleer said last night that although amending the rule would come too late for Omagh, it may help some people in the future.
"We felt as a club we should always pursue this through the proper channels.
"We wanted to take it to a conclusion. Hopefully nobody else will ever be put in the same position again but if they are, at least measures would be in place if the rule is amended."
Rule 42 states that GAA property must only be used for: "the playing of the games controlled by the Association, and for such other purposes not in conflict with the Aims and Objectives of the Association... Grounds controlled by Association units shall not be used or permitted to be used, for horse racing, greyhound racing or for field games other than those sanctioned by Central Council."
St Enda's had hoped to host a charity match in the town with players from Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers being lined up to take part.
However the project was dismissed by GAA headquarters on the grounds that soccer is forbidden under the current guidelines and a change could only be made at the GAA's annual congress, which takes place next Easter.
Feelings are certain to be running high at Sunday's convention, but Brendan McAleer said he hoped the motion would be passed so the entire Association could debate the issue.
"The amendment would make the rule more palatable to a lot of people and if it goes through on Sunday, there's a good chance of it going into the rule book.
"At least if it goes to congress, every county will get a chance to debate it. There seemed to be a lot of support for our position at the time and hopefully that is still the case."
Paul Doris' completion of his three year term as chairman should prompt a reshuffle of sorts, although vice-chairman Cuthbert Donnelly is expected to step up from the vice-chair.
Vinny Beggs and Brendan Harkin will again be strong contenders to fill the seat should Donnelly progress to the chair.
Paul Doris has been nominated for the vice-chair but is understood to be running for one of the two Ulster Council delegates positions, currently held by Vinny Beggs and Jim Curran.
Dominic McCaughey is unopposed as secretary and he should also continue as PRO although the position has not been included among the nominations.
By Orla Bannon
OMAGH St Enda's are appealing to the GAA to allow other sports to be played at gaelic grounds in "exceptional circumstances" for the purpose of raising money for charity.
The Association refused to allow St Enda's to stage a charity soccer match to raise funds in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb, but the Tyrone club are persisting with the concept and have submitted a motion to go before county convention on Sunday.
The club want to amend Rule 42 to include: "In exceptional circumstances, when it is clear that purpose is for fundraising for a charitable cause, Central Council may permit the use of GAA grounds for the playing of any game".
Club chairman Brendan McAleer said last night that although amending the rule would come too late for Omagh, it may help some people in the future.
"We felt as a club we should always pursue this through the proper channels.
"We wanted to take it to a conclusion. Hopefully nobody else will ever be put in the same position again but if they are, at least measures would be in place if the rule is amended."
Rule 42 states that GAA property must only be used for: "the playing of the games controlled by the Association, and for such other purposes not in conflict with the Aims and Objectives of the Association... Grounds controlled by Association units shall not be used or permitted to be used, for horse racing, greyhound racing or for field games other than those sanctioned by Central Council."
St Enda's had hoped to host a charity match in the town with players from Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic and Rangers being lined up to take part.
However the project was dismissed by GAA headquarters on the grounds that soccer is forbidden under the current guidelines and a change could only be made at the GAA's annual congress, which takes place next Easter.
Feelings are certain to be running high at Sunday's convention, but Brendan McAleer said he hoped the motion would be passed so the entire Association could debate the issue.
"The amendment would make the rule more palatable to a lot of people and if it goes through on Sunday, there's a good chance of it going into the rule book.
"At least if it goes to congress, every county will get a chance to debate it. There seemed to be a lot of support for our position at the time and hopefully that is still the case."
Paul Doris' completion of his three year term as chairman should prompt a reshuffle of sorts, although vice-chairman Cuthbert Donnelly is expected to step up from the vice-chair.
Vinny Beggs and Brendan Harkin will again be strong contenders to fill the seat should Donnelly progress to the chair.
Paul Doris has been nominated for the vice-chair but is understood to be running for one of the two Ulster Council delegates positions, currently held by Vinny Beggs and Jim Curran.
Dominic McCaughey is unopposed as secretary and he should also continue as PRO although the position has not been included among the nominations.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0244
Published Date: 09-Dec-98
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