McCague and Hogan get nod

GAA President Sean Kelly yesterday announced the appointees to two high powered Croke Park committees aimed at improving disciplinary and appeals procedures.

Mr Kelly is hopeful that the new systems would “be seen as effective, transparent and equitable and in tandem with other measures taken would eliminate anomalies and inconsistencies that arose in the past.”

Tipperary’s Con Hogan will chair the newly formed Central Disciplinary Committee made up of Pat O’Neill (Meath), John Heaphy (Monaghan), Gerry Mahon (Leitrim) Bob Honohan (Cork), Joe O’ Shaughnessy (Wexford), Garrett O’ Reilly (Cavan), Bernie O’ Connor (Galway) and Billy Lenihan (Limerick).

The establishment of this Committee followed a report of the Games Administration Review Task Force and a motion passed by Congress last month.

The CDC will have responsibility for all disciplinary matters, including misconduct and breaches of match regulations arising from games under the jurisdiction of the Central Council and from the Provincial Inter-county senior championship games.

Mr Kelly also announced that former President Sean McCague will chair the Central Appeals Committee.

The Monaghan native will be joined by Pádraig Brennan (Connacht), Nicky Brennan (Leinster), Christy Cooney (Munster), John O’ Reilly (Ulster), John Greene (Longford), Michael Curley (Galway), Pat Flynn (Waterford) and Martin McAviney (Monaghan) on the CAC.

This committee follows a report from the Rule Book Task Force and a motion passed at Congress. It will hear all appeals made at Central Level.

Its decisions will be final and binding and will be subject only to a case being referred to arbitration under the Disputes Resolution Code, which was also provided for by Congress.

Mr Kelly added that: “The formation of these Committees was a significant change in the administration of the GAA’s disciplinary procedures and appeals process”

The President paid tribute to Pauric Duffy, chairman of the Games Administration Review Task Force, Frank Murphy, chairman of the Rule Book Task Force and their respective Committees for producing the reports which facilitated the Congress in giving effect to these Committees.