Cutbacks put school sports competitions under threat
The original measures announced in October removed all supervision and substitution cover for schools when teachers were on official business, which included bringing teams to inter-schools matches. The deal agreed with second-level school managers in mid-December gave the department sufficient savings to allow a limited amount of cover for each school in the event of games, teachers absent without a doctors’ certificate or teachers away on other activities such as field trips, theatre and gallery visits.
However, it has emerged in the last few days that at least a handful of schools in Cork, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon and Westmeath have dropped out of all Gaelic games competitions as a result of the cuts. The issue was raised at an angry meeting of the GAA Munster Colleges Council last weekend, where it emerged that Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, in Youghal, Co Cork, has also withdrawn from all competitions.
Last night, the chair of the Cork Colleges GAA, Mick Evans warned that schools are under so much pressure, a tough decision is on the cards next week.
“I have a feeling that some competitions will have to be abandoned,” said Mr Evans.
The only other option would be to postpone competitions until later in the year.
Mr Evans, a teacher at Coláiste Chríost Rí in Cork city, spoke of his school’s long tradition in football and hurling.
“Here, and in dozens of other schools, there’s a Gaelic games tradition going back 100 years which could be lost very quickly,” he said.
The GAA requested a meeting with Mr O’Keeffe in the days after the budget announcement in October and a spokesperson said last night the association is awaiting a formal response.
Mr O’Keeffe’s spokes-person said last night that he is happy to meet with officials of the GAA or any other sporting organisation in relation to the new substitution arrangements.
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