Unable to keep my counsel on black card debate

Driving home from work on Friday evening, I decided to call into my mechanic and GAA counsellor, Francie John O’Kane.

Apart from the fact I owed him some money, there was another reason I wanted to talk to him. After ringing round the nine counties of Ulster earlier in the week, I learned Tyrone, Down, Antrim and Fermanagh are set to vote against the bulk of the FRC’s proposals at this weekend’s Annual Congress. All four counties are against the black card, the mark, and bringing the ball forward by 30 yards. The news left me slightly dejected. I was also totally mystified.

While I knew the Tyrone board would take their direction from Mickey Harte, the verdict of the others baffled me. I couldn’t understand it. Why would county board officials be opposed to rules which have the potential to reap so many rewards? And that’s why I needed to talk to Francie John. I reckoned he could give me an insight into the mindset of the men making these decisions. After all, he is usually opposed to most things.