Kerry family disappointed by GAA's 'parish rule' decision

The father of two young Kerry boys who have been refused permission to play football with the parish where they attend school is appealing to GAA bosses to see sense.

The parents of Padraic and Colin O'Sullivan from Faha, Killarney had sought an exception to a GAA rule which requires that people can only play for the parish in which they live.

But the Kerry County Board last night 59-23 voted against a derogation from the rule that would allow the boys play for the neighbouring parish of Listry.

The family say the boys' friends all play for Listry - just a kilometre from the O'Sullivan home - while the GAA insists they tog out for the Firies club some 11km away.

Last night's vote marks the second time the County Board has refused to bend the rules for Padraic, 14, and Colin 10, with the family having in the interim taken their case to the High Court.

Their father Michael said the parish rule makes sense in the majority of cases - but not all.

"We are part of the Listry community even though we are in the Firies parish," he said.

"Our kids go to school in Listry and all our community life centres around Listry, not Firies."