Novelty charity match falls foul of insurers

GAA CHIEFS scored an own goal yesterday by cancelling a tsunami charity match between men and women because of insurance worries.

Aghabullogue GAA club in Cork had planned to field its male junior football team in a novelty game against its female camogie team in Coachford later today. They were due to play camogie in the first half and football in the second.

But days after details of the "Clash of the Champions" was publicised, the club was contacted by Cork County Board and Croke Park. Aghabullogue public relations officer Peter Dineen said the club was told the GAA's player insurance scheme did not cover matches between men and women.

"It's unfortunate but it's back to the drawing board now. It was just a mad idea of the lads playing the girls," said Mr Dineen.

"There was good buzz around the parish, players were looking forward to it. There was great banter between them with the girls saying they were better. "We even planned to give the lads U12 hurleys for the camogie part of the game so they wouldn't hurt the women. And we were going to paint the ball pink, dress the lads up in skirts and wigs and everything."

The club, based between Cork city and Macroom, thought about getting the players to sign a waiver for the weekend match but decided against it. GAA headquarters also informed them there was no way of extending the policy to cover the match.

"The law is there, but this was really only a bit of fun. But we can see where Croke Park is coming from on this," said Mr Dineen.

The club is still determined to run a fundraising event to help victims of the tsunami disaster.