GAA: Tipp plans to improve hurling fortunes
Mr. Hogan made his comments during a lengthy discussion on new proposals to change the structure of the county senior championship.
“It is vitally important that we give a lot of thought to our championships. We have won only four All-Irelands since the 1970s and that is not good enough for a county that calls itself the Premier County.
“Our raw material is very strong. Where it is wrong is the structure of the games. We can only get better when we compete against the best and we must ensure that our best clubs teams play each other on a regular basis.
“Some of the recommendations by the sub-committee won’t suit everyone, but we have a duty to ensure we have a proper games structure for our top clubs”.
Pat Moroney, who chaired the Sub Committee, said there is a need for good solid debate at club level ahead of a meeting on January 7 when motions will be taken for the new season.
“We are lagging behind other counties, and our record shows that. Talking with players they are unhappy with the way our championship is structured.
“Players of today are hugely different from their counterparts of 30 years ago. There is to big a gap between games. I know the new proposals won’t suit every club, but we must look at the overall position and what is best for the county”.
In a surprisingly short debate on the secretary’s report, former county chairman Paul O’Neill lauded Mr. O’Brien (secretary) on the stand he took on what became known as the Eamon Corcoran affair.
“I’m very annoyed at the treatment meted out to the player,” said Mr. O’Neill, who added that common sense went out the window in relation to the fines that were handed out.
Tipperary were fined in the region of €10,000 for pitch incursions during the year, and Mr. O’Neill asked what were team officials to do when players got injured.
In his address to the convention, chairman Donal Shanahan referred to the ongoing difficulty of alcohol abuse by young players which is many instances destroys their careers and heaps untold misery on their families.
“As the biggest sporting organisation in Ireland, the GAA must give leadership in relation to the abuse of alcohol. We need closer links with the gardai, health boards, second level schools, youth groups and community leaders.
“One way we as an association can help is to ask our clubs not to bring trophies into public houses. It may be unpopular stand to take but it would pay huge dividends in the long run”.
The financial position of the board is extremely healthly Treasurer Michael Nolan told convention. Income amounted to €3.7million while expenditure totalled €3.576 million, €488,000 of which was down to county teams expenses.
There was only one change in officership. Youth Officer John Halley (Rockwell) did not seek re-lection and he was replaced by Nicholas Moroney (St. Patricks).
Former PRO Liz Howard, who was nominated to contest the position, withdrew her name but not before she thanked all those who supported her after she resigned her position in the middle of the year.
Miss Howard said the level of support was very gratifying but more importantly was the recognition and appreciation of the professional and effect manner in which she carried out her job as PRO.
Referring to the imbalance in the senior hurling championship, Miss Howard said it was not good for the county and appealed to clubs to find an acceptable solution to the problem.
Officers: Chairman, D. Shanahan (Toomevara); Vice-chairman J. Costigan (JK Brackens); Secretary, M. O’Brien (Silvermines); Hon Treasurer, M. Nolan (Kildangan); Asst. Treasurer, M. Power (Newcastle); Development Officer, J. O’Donnell (Golden/Kilfeakle); Coaching Officer, Denis Floyd (Newport); Irish and Cultureal Officer, C. Ryan (Kickhams/Rahealty); Youth Officer, N. Moroney (St. Patricks); PRO, E. Donnelly (Moycarkey/Borris); Central Council Delegate, C. Hogan (Marlsfield); Munster Council Reps. J. Ryan (Hollycross/Ballycahill), M. Power (Newcastle).
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