*Delegates at County Convention. Photograph: Natasha Barton
The most poignant motion was saved for last on Tuesday evening when Meelick GAA Club appealed to Clare GAA to implement the ‘parish rule’ and stop the illegal cross-border defections of players in their catchment area.
The motion, ‘That C.L.G. Coiste Chontae An Chláir implement playing ineligibility as per GAA guidelines 2021’ was further reinforced by Meelick Secretary Paudie O’Brien’s plea for help for survival.
“I’m asking, for starters, the Clare County Board to implement Parish Rule which is the cornerstone of a GAA club and if this is passed here tonight, I’ll be directing the same motion to Munster Council. “I mean club are dying on their feet because rules aren’t being obeyed, it’s as simple as that.”
Described by Clare GAA Secretary Pat Fitzgerald as the haemorrhaging of a lot of good players to anothercounty’, the motion was immediately seconded by former Munster GAA Chairman Robert Frost who had first hand knowledge of the ongoing issue.
“If something isn’t done about Meelick in the near future, they will go out of business. I think myself that what’s being done to Meelick with regards losing players to another county is a pure and utter disgrace. Something has to be done for Meelick or else they will go out of business and I would also suggest Parteen as well.”
Before the motion was unanimously passed, Paudie O’Brien outlined the looseness of the National GAA Registration system which certainly hasn’t aided Meelick’s cause.
“It’s the biggest joke of all. I could register Daniel O’Donnell in Meelick GAA Club and no-one would say anything about him being based in Donegal. “I’ve actually tried it and I deleted him last night”.
Central Council
All Coaching and Development Funding must be allocated to individual counties on an equal basis based on registered GAA members in the preceding year in each county up to as maximum variance of 5%. Any proposal to allocate Coaching and Development Funding in excess of 5% variance must be brought to Annual Congress every two years for approval wit a transparent plan and business case for such increased funding. It is proposed that this motion will amend Rule 3-43 of the GAA Official Guide which governs the “Powers and Functions” of the Central Council, Rule 3-44 which governs the “Powers of the Director General and other Officers” and also, Rule 3-46 which governs the Management Committee that makes recommendations on policy and finance to Central Council.
Wolfe Tones (Passed)
That Croke Park commission an urgent Report into the causes of career threatening cruciate & hip injuries in Gaelic players, and then issue funding that will bring about the elimination or moderation of training or match day activities or indeed, their intensity with a view to seriously reducing the amount of these injuries in the years ahead.
Ruan (Passed)
Bye-Laws
That the Fho Dlithe (Bye-Laws) of C.L.G. Coiste Chontae An Chláir which were approved by Cumann Luthcleas Gael be amended to include a new paragraph 1.2 which shall read;
That the County Committee of C.L.G. Coiste Chontae An Chláir shall make recommendations to the relevant Convention to appoint a County Safety Facilities Officer/Planning and Training Committee and a Child Welfare Officer.
The above suggested adjustment will mean that our current Bye-Law numbers under Bye Law 1 will be altered by .1 e.g. (1.2 will become 1.3, 1.3 will become 1.4 and 1.4 will become 1.5)
That Rule 3.19 (i) The County – Powers (i) – Official Guide Part 1 (page 24) to read:
To appoint a County Safety and Facilities Officer
(3) That Rule 3.20 (v) – The County – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 28) to read:
Safety and Facilities Committee
It shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with
(a) Ground Health and Safety Legislation
(b) Chapter 5 of The Official Guide (Control of Association Property).
(c) The terms of the Associations Public Liability and Property Insurance policies.
It shall further make recommendations to the County Management and Finance Committees in relation to:
(a) The development of Grounds and Facilities, including advise on available grants.
(d) Other duties as directed from time-to-time by Central Council
The Committee shall consist of at least six members, to include The Safety and Facilities Officer (as Chairperson) and a qualified Event Controller. The remaining members should be suitably qualified in areas relevant to the terms of reference of the Committee. Other persons with the particular skill set appropriate to specific items under discussion by the Committee maybe from time-to-time and shall act as complementary workgroups.
Both roles would be be appointed: Planning and Training Officer, Safety and Facilities Officer.
Both roles would be subject to the 5-year term limit.
A Development Officer who has served 5 years could most likely be appointed to the Safety and Facilities Officer role, but not the Planning and Training Officer role.
It is a matter for each County Committee to dictate, through their Bye-Laws, which Officiers are members of the County Management Committee.
Two sub-committees will be established in each County: Planning and Training, Safety and Facilities.
(1) That Rule 3.11 (a) The County – Elections – Official Guide Part 1 (page 20) be amended by replacing Development Officer with Planning and Training Officer
(4) That Rule 3.20 – The County – Sub-Committees/Functions be amended by inserting a new sub-committee as follows:
(2) Planning and Training Committee
It shall be responsible for:
a) Delivering Club and County Officer Training within the county.
b) Assisting clubs in developing a Club Plan, including details regarding the financing of such plans.
c) Assisting the county in the development and implementation of a County plan.
d) Monitering demographic changes within the county, which will assist the county planning process, identify participation levels, infrastructure and resource requirements.
e) Other duties as directed from time-to-time by Central Council.
The Committee shall consist of at least five members, the Chairperson of which shall be the County Planning and Training Officer. All members shall, upon appointment, complete the necessary training as prescribed by the Central Council, the relevant Provincial Council or any of their sub-committees.
Cratloe (Passed)
General
A schedule of all motions and Bye-Laws adopted over the last ten years of Convention be issued to all clubs.
Tulla (Passed)
Clare G.A.A. in conjunction with the Referees’ Association introduce the following on a trial basis two encourage positive behaviour towards Match Officials. After each game the Referee gives a score between 0 and 10 indicative of the behaviour of each team, their players and management. The team with the greatest score at the end of the Competition will receive a non-monetary prize.
Tulla (Passed)
That the Clare County Board adopt the postal vote for Convention to allow every club the opportunity to use all their votes especially at this time during where clubs may not be able to send their full allocation to Convention.
O’Callaghan’s Mills (Passed)
That the Friary entrance to Cusack Park be given equal weighting as other entrances in the continuing struggle against Covid, and also our of respect and consideration for loyal GAA followers attending from West & North of our Capital town.
Ruan (Passed)
That C.L.G. Coiste Chontae An Chláir implement playing ineligibility as per GAA guidelines 2021.
Meelick (Passed)
