*The Sixmilebridge senior hurling panel. Photograph: Sport Action Photography
There was strong opposition to a motion from Sixmilebridge dealing with re-grading.
Sixmilebridge’s motion before Clare GAA’s Convention stated that the current regrading system in the county was “not fit for purpose and hasn’t been for many years”.
“At the beginning of each year clubs name a panel of 20 players for each grade they are entering a team in. A player can only be named on the panel of 20 at a particular grade if they played in that grade the previous year. Any player named cannot play at a grade below the grade they are named in but once you play at a higher grade then that becomes your grade”.
Speaking to the motion Christy Murray said “all we are trying to do here is to keep fellas hurling. Too many are being lost to the game”.
Tony McGann from St. Breckans who had two motions dealing with re-grading before the meeting, seconded the Sixmilebridge proposal.
Speaking against the motion were Andrew Monahan (Tubber) who proposed that the current system of re-grading be maintained. This was seconded by Meelick’s Padraig O’Brien. Others who spoke against the proposal for change were David Solan (Whitegate) and Flann O’Reilly (Culture and Irish officer) while Ger Lyons (Ruan) reminded the delegates that a similar proposal had come before last year’s convention and was defeated.
Central council delegate Simon Moroney pointed out that the current system is that the CCC makes recommendations and clubs can appeal these decisions to the CHC.
The re-grading proposals from Sixmilebridge and St. Breckans were defeated.
A motion from the Wolfe Tones club asking that “each Clare GAA club have their main pitch/field lined as per field of play diagram in the official guide of the GAA, part 2 was carried without opposition.
Cratloe’s motion that “all category 2 infractions which occur in the ten minute sin bin should relate to actual time was ruled out of order. Speaking on the motion Flan O’Reilly said “there is a facility for the county executive to send motions to congress”. Central Council delegate Simon Moroney pointed out said this is not the case but he added that the board could send the motion to the playing rules committee.
