Byrne calls for Galway unity

THE new chairman of Galway Hurling Board last night called for an end to the internal disputes which have dogged the Tribesmen in recent years.

And Joe Byrne from Kinvara, who defeated former All Star and referee Jimmy Cooney 60-37, promised that there would be a new beginning for Galway hurling.

“We need to go forward as a team and we need to all work together. It is all about team work on the field and it is the same off it.

“We will be nothing if we are not all on the one team,” said Byrne.

Cooney promised, in a rousing speech, that Byrne would have his 100% support for the year.

“We need unity if Galway hurling is to go forward. We need to be united at the top table and each delegate needs to work together.

“Everything I have done in hurling has been for the maroon and white of Galway hurling and I congratulate Joe Byrne on his victory and assure him I will back him 100% for the year.’’

Outgoing vice-chairman Stevie Cahalan was returned when he received 57 votes to Noel Turley’s 21, Joe Connolly’s 13 and nine for Pat Moore.

In the other primary vote at last night’s Galway Hurling Board convention, outgoing secretary John Fahey was returned for a sixth year when he defeated former senior manager Jarlath Cloonan 63-34.

Meanwhile, a Co Leitrim club has tabled a series of motions which they hope will radically alter the GAA, including the introduction of TV replays, restrictions on Aussie Rules poaching players and the appointment of separate time keepers during games.

The Sean O’Heslins GAA club also want organised stewarding of fans coming on to the pitch at Croke Park after All-Ireland finals. Club secretary Alan Banks said it was overdue for the GAA to introduce technology which would prevent controversy over time-keeping in matches.

And he said that his club also wanted the GAA to avail of TV replays to help referees in major televised games.

“We as a club think that the GAA should look at the possibility of using the technology available,” said Alan Banks.

“Obviously it couldn’t be brought in immediately but what harm would it be to take a look at the possibility.”

“The day will arrive when an All-Ireland final is decided by a dodgy score in the last minute. It is fine and well for something like that happening in a junior underage match but with so much at stake the possibility of TV replays should be considered for major games,” he said.

He said that they were also tabling a motion at Sunday’s Leitrim convention calling for time-keeping at senior inter-county championship games to be carried out by a separate official.