Boys look to Listry for help with dream
Padraic, 14, and Colin, 10, O’Sullivan were left dejected on Monday when Kerry County Board delegates voted by 59 votes to 23 not to allow a derogation to the GAA parish rule, which would have allowed them play with Listry football club.
Listry is about one kilometre from their home in Faha, near Killarney.
The case had been referred back to the board by the High Court.
Speaking last night, the boys’ father, Michael, said they felt they had brought the case as far as they could at a personal level and now needed support from their local club.
“The original agreement was that if we failed here that we could go back to the GAA Disputes Resolution Authority. But that doesn’t really make much sense. We’ve been down that avenue before and it didn’t get us anywhere.
“One of the delegates at Monday night’s meeting suggested that Listry could put a motion to the county board, a submission for open area. To me, this seems the best way to move forward.
“Really, it is out of our hands now, it’s the end of the line as far as we are personally concerned. We need the club to take it on now. It would have to go to another vote but it could be the boys best chance.”
Michael said his family have been inundated with calls of support from all over the county, as people reacted to what he described as the absurdity of the situation.
“People have been so good, the phone has not stopped ringing and people locally have bee calling to the house. The community has really come in behind us, and we are very grateful for that support.”
