OMAGH MAY DEFY GAA RULING
Omagh may defy GAA
By Seamus McKinney
GAA members in Omagh may defy an order by the body's leadership banning the use of the town's Healy Park for a charity soccer match in aid of the Omagh bomb appeal.
The game between Omagh Town soccer club and Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic or Rangers is scheduled to take place in the new year.
After the English and Scottish clubs expressed an interest in taking part in a charity game, Omagh Town wrote to the GAA asking for permission to use Healy Park to accommodate the large crowds expected in its 22,000-capacity grounds and maximise the fundraiser.
But a spokesman for the GAA at Croke Park ruled out the use of the ground on the basis that a major change to the association's constitution would be needed to enable the soccer match to go ahead.
The spokesman claimed a special congress to review the All Ireland hurling championship scheduled for next month could not discuss such a
rule.
But the Croke Park decision has provoked anger among GAA followers and has prompted Omagh's St Enda's GAA club to consider defying the Croke Park edict.
Many members were particularly incensed at the decision because many of those killed and injured had strong links with the GAA also caused concern among members.
Among those killed were Mena Skelton, wife of prominent Tyrone referee Kevin Skelton and Jolene Marlow who played with her local club at Eskra.
Chairman of the St Enda's Club, Brendan McAleer said there was a strong feeling among GAA followers that the soccer game should go ahead.
"We believe every rule can be bent. As a committee we are committed to facilitating anything to raise funds," Mr McAleer said.
The Omagh sports official was in no doubt as to what the outcome would be if his club maintained a collision course with the GAA hierarchy.
Mr McAleer said St Enda's management committee would have to make members aware of the implications of opposing the Croke Park decision.
"Members are going to take a decision which puts them outside the association they are members of," he said.
The ideal solution would be to obtain the support of enough clubs in Ireland to prompt a change in the rules to facilitate the game, he said.
In an open letter to the GAA printed in the Irish News, Frank McElroy, a member of the Carrickmore club in Co Tyrone, said most members found it "beyond their comprehension" how permission for the game could be denied.
Declining to comment, GAA spokesman Danny Lynch said he was unaware of the Omagh club's stance.
By Seamus McKinney
GAA members in Omagh may defy an order by the body's leadership banning the use of the town's Healy Park for a charity soccer match in aid of the Omagh bomb appeal.
The game between Omagh Town soccer club and Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic or Rangers is scheduled to take place in the new year.
After the English and Scottish clubs expressed an interest in taking part in a charity game, Omagh Town wrote to the GAA asking for permission to use Healy Park to accommodate the large crowds expected in its 22,000-capacity grounds and maximise the fundraiser.
But a spokesman for the GAA at Croke Park ruled out the use of the ground on the basis that a major change to the association's constitution would be needed to enable the soccer match to go ahead.
The spokesman claimed a special congress to review the All Ireland hurling championship scheduled for next month could not discuss such a
rule.
But the Croke Park decision has provoked anger among GAA followers and has prompted Omagh's St Enda's GAA club to consider defying the Croke Park edict.
Many members were particularly incensed at the decision because many of those killed and injured had strong links with the GAA also caused concern among members.
Among those killed were Mena Skelton, wife of prominent Tyrone referee Kevin Skelton and Jolene Marlow who played with her local club at Eskra.
Chairman of the St Enda's Club, Brendan McAleer said there was a strong feeling among GAA followers that the soccer game should go ahead.
"We believe every rule can be bent. As a committee we are committed to facilitating anything to raise funds," Mr McAleer said.
The Omagh sports official was in no doubt as to what the outcome would be if his club maintained a collision course with the GAA hierarchy.
Mr McAleer said St Enda's management committee would have to make members aware of the implications of opposing the Croke Park decision.
"Members are going to take a decision which puts them outside the association they are members of," he said.
The ideal solution would be to obtain the support of enough clubs in Ireland to prompt a change in the rules to facilitate the game, he said.
In an open letter to the GAA printed in the Irish News, Frank McElroy, a member of the Carrickmore club in Co Tyrone, said most members found it "beyond their comprehension" how permission for the game could be denied.
Declining to comment, GAA spokesman Danny Lynch said he was unaware of the Omagh club's stance.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0405
Published Date: 24-Sep-98
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