Motion for separate GAA organisations

HURLING could be expected to increase its playing numbers if it were to be organised separately from Gaelic football, claimed several delegates at the weekend convention of the Clare County Board.

After a brief discussion, it was agreed that a motion from the Ennistymon club calling for the establishment of separate organisations ‘within the GAA umbrella,’ should be submitted for annual Congress in Belfast next April.

Former star Sean Hehir said that a survey carried out in Trinity College had found that hurling declined following the foundation of the Association. It had suffered, he suggested, because the average club was only able to cope with the promotion of one of the games. “We have lost Limerick city, Cork city, Dublin city, Roscommon and all of the ‘pockets’ in the north of Ireland,’’ he added.