Rule 42 debate a PR disaster, claims Farrell

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell believes that GAA has suffered a public relations nightmare over the debate to discuss Rule 42 at Congress.

Croke Park’s Motion Committee met last night to decide whether 10 resubmitted motions on the matter were in order. And though the issue will be dealt with at Congress, Farrell is concerned with how the matter was handled.

“You have to ask why was this Motions Committee not heard of until last year. What was so different about the motions two and three years ago when the same motions on Rule 42 were brought to the floor at Congress? What is the problem? This is an unelected body we’re talking about here.

“There seems to be a concerted attempt by conservative elements within the Association to hold back debate on this whole issue. This whole thing seems to go back to the old days of ‘The Ban’ but that doesn’t add up.

“We’ve had rock concerts, American football, boxing and other things held in Croke Park before.

“Who okayed that? Why are they any more palatable than soccer or rugby?”

Farrell’s organisation yesterday announced their biggest scholarship initiative.

Thirty third-level scholarships have been awarded to players from 17 counties in the four provinces.

Funding for the programme has been generated through the sales of Club Energise and the GPA’s ongoing commercial strategy.

Since its launch in August 2003, Club Energise has used 60 players to promote the brand across billboards, television adverts and point of sale promotions.

Money from every bottle sold is invested directly into Gaelic games through a variety of GPA initiatives, including the scholarship programme that has assisted 42 players in the last two years.

“This unprecedented allocation of funding to 30 GAA players in third-level education is indicative of the GPA’s commitment to supporting our players throughout their playing careers,” said Farrell yesterday.

“With the emphasis on professional levels of preparation in the modern game, it is simply not feasible for students to take up part-time employment.

GPA scholarship recipients: Conor McCarthy, Cork Football, UCC; Bryan Cullen, Dublin Football, DCU; Gary Dolan, Westmeath Football, Athlone IT; Rory Jacob, Wexford Hurling, WIT; Adrian Cullinane & David Hayes, Galway Hurling, WIT; James Glancy, Leitrim Hurling, WIT; Hugh Moloney, Tipperary Hurling, WIT; Mark Brennan, Carlow Football, DIT; Daniel Kirby, Mayo Hurling, GMIT; Brian O’Donoghue, Galway Football, GMIT; Barry Loughane, Clare Hurling, GMIT; David Collins, Galway Hurling, GMIT; Kevin McMahon, Cork Football, UCD; William Minchin, Carlow Football, UCD; Cathal McErlean, Tyrone Hurling, UUJ; Malachy Mackin, Armagh Football, UUJ; Eoin Keating, Limerick Football, UL; George Sunderland, Wexford Football, UL; Tadhg Flynn, Kerry Hurling, UL; Kevin O’Sullivan, Cork Football, UL; Paul Durcan & Christy Toye, Donegal Football, Sligo IT; James Glancy, Leitrim Football, Sligo IT; Andy Moran, Mayo Football, Sligo IT; Diarmuid Lyng, Wexford Hurling, Forebal College; Des Shaw, Carlow Hurling, Carlow IT; Jason Brown, Down Football, Newry College; Conor McGarry, Down Football, North Down, Ards Institute; Eamon Callaghan, Kildare Football, Inchicore College.