McCague praised by Taoiseach for Rule 21 abolition

OUTGOING GAA President Sean McCague was praised by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last night for the part he played in the removal of Rule 21 two years ago, which banned members of the police and British Army from membership of the Association.

Mr Ahern was speaking at the presentation of the Vodafone GAA All Star ‘Player of the Month’ awards to Galway footballer Michael Meehan and Dublin hurler Conal Keaney in the Westin Hotel in Dublin.

Vodafone Ireland Chief Executive Paul Donovan surprised the president by making a special presentation of a sculpture by Jarlath Daly to mark the end of his three-year presidency and Mr McCague was further honoured by the presence of the Taoiseach.

Praising him for his enormous contribution to the GAA, Mr Ahern commented: “people who remember that he was the Chairman of the GAC forget the enormous challenge he faced at the time. In this role, he was uncompromising but a scrupulously fair disciplinarian and I think it’s fair to say that he all but stamped out the incidence of off-the-ball incidents in their entirety.”

The Taoiseach also complimented him on his foresight in establishing the Strategic Review Committee as a way of pointing the way forward for the Association, adding: “I would like to acknowledge in particular his work in the removal of Rule 21 from the GAA statute books. I know that Sean initiated and managed the process which led to the removal of the rule and that it was the right thing to do in the interests of the GAA when certain circumstances had been fulfilled. It was not an initiative that could have been done at other times.”

He also singled out Mr McCague’s wife Bernie for her commitment and support. Paul Donovan recalled that, as GAC Chairman, it was Sean McCague who introduced the policy of double suspensions for off-the-ball fouls.

“You proved an outstanding president and this is recognised inside and outside the Association,” he added.

The winner of the hurling award, Conal Keaney, played a starring role in Dublin’s recent success in the Walsh Cup and scored three goals in the Allianz League game against Clare on Sunday.

Michael Meehan is the GAA’s latest teenage sensation, younger brother of All-Ireland medal winners Tomas and Declan and the sixth member of the family to represent the county.

Already he is being spoken as a star of the future and on Thursday he will be among the recipients of Irish Examiner Junior sports star awards to be honoured in Dublin.

Man-of-the-match in NUI Galway’s victory in the Sigerson Cup final in Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday, Mr McCague said it had been his pleasure to witness him scoring one point from the right wing off the outside of his boot and then score another from the opposite wing with his left foot. “It was worth the trip to Cork to see that alone,” he stated.

The respective team managers, John O’Mahony and Marty Morris, were amongst the guests, who also included President-elect Sean Kelly, Ulster Chairman John O’Reilly and Leinster chairman, Nicky Brennan.