Move to protect young players from ‘senior’ status

TWO of the recommendations adopted by the Special Congress on Saturday related to sharply contrasting issues - the number of years that county officers should be permitted to serve and the potential danger of having young players competing in age groups unsuitable to their age group.

In relation to the latter issue, SRC Chairman Peter Quinn spoke from personal experience when he successfully put the motion before delegates, saying it had major implications for ‘child protection.’

He said that one of his own sons had received a serious injury while playing senior at the age of 17, while he himself had played at this grade while just over 14 years of age. What we are asking players to do is neither right nor fair,’’ he commented. Wicklow delegate Jackie Napier recalled a player U-16 coming on to their senior team - and giving 17 years service. “I know it was not right but he was the best material at the time.’’