Vote should have been taken on Rule 42, say clubs

DEMOCRACY “went out the window” with the decision of Cork GAA chiefs not to have any debate on a change to the Association’s Rule 42 this week, Castletownbere GAA club chairman Donie Kelly claimed yesterday.

“The clubs of the county went away and held meetings and mandated their delegates to vote a particular way. They were denied the right to exercise that vote at the county board meeting, and that is not democracy.

“Why did the county executive wait until the last minute to inform the clubs that they were breaking a role in the official guide by holding those meetings. The rule book is only pulled out when it suits.”

Macroom secretary Pat O’Connell was equally frustrated that no vote was taken. “In innocence, my club held a meeting and decided to mandate our delegate to the county board to vote a particular way. If we were breaking a rule we should have been informed long before now.

“This particular item was out there for a number of weeks, and it is not right that with just three days to go to Congress, that the county board should tell us we were wrong to hold a meeting. There is a communication problem here that must be addressed.”

St Finbarr’s Tony Maher said yesterday he was disappointed that no vote was taken on changes to Rule 42.

“I understand where the county board is coming from, but the spirit of what the clubs wanted should have been taken into consideration.

“It’s only for a very short period that clubs wanted the stadium open to the other codes and I feel a vote should have been taken at the county board meeting,” he said.

Bishopstown chairman Jerry Buttimer said he too was disappointed no vote was taken. “If what Cork are saying is correct, that a rule change can only be made at convention, then there was an obligation on the executive of the County Board to inform the clubs of that in advance of Tuesday night’s meeting,” he said.

“There is a huge information deficiency at all levels which must be addressed. It’s not good enough that clubs do not receive official notification regarding motions, from either Munster Council or Central Council.

“We get notification from our county board regarding motions, then why shouldn’t we get the same from the other bodies of the association.

“I also feel there are far more important things that need to be debated than Rule 42. Personally I’m in favour of opening Croke Park while Lansdowne Road is being developed and the vast majority of GAA members are of a like mind.”

Cloyne secretary Donie Cahill said he is not disappointed at the turn of events. “If what we were told at the county board meeting on Tuesday by the chairman and I have no reason to doubt the man, then I’ll accept that and I’m sure my members will do likewise once it’s explained to them.

“The only concern I would have is the lack of information about the whole issue. If what we were told at the meeting was conveyed to us in advance, there would have been no need for those club meetings, nor the friction that has built up among members.”

Meanwhile, Cork chairman Jim Forbes emphasised yesterday that it was of no concern to the County Board how other counties made their decisions on Rule 42. Asked if they would consider challenging the legitimacy of such decisions, he replied: “not a hope.” His only concern was ensuring Cork ‘did things right.’

“What the other counties have done I have no interest in, whatever decisions they came to or how they were reached. As chairman I wanted to ensure that we abided by the rules of the Association. That was my main concern.’’

He stated the executive had received ‘their imprimatur’ from the decision of the 2003 convention, which was the only forum in Cork where anything was discussed in relation to rule.

Mr. Forbes made a point of emphasising the significance of having only 82 of their 260 registered clubs represented at Tuesday’s meeting.

“If you took such a major decision with only that number of clubs present it would not have been democratic. You would have had only 16 delegates to represent the junior clubs, whereas all clubs can speak on any matter at convention.

"That was reiterated yesterday by Noel Walsh in an interview in the Irish Examiner. He made the comment that Cork ‘were making their decision without consulting the junior clubs’.

"Noel has been a major supporter of opening Croke Park from day one. When I saw his comment I was surprised because it backed up what we were trying to do.”