GAA and GPA ‘regret’ as Fermanagh reject bid to end row

THE GAA and GPA were last night coming to terms with the failure of their new disputes resolution procedure to resolve the Fermanagh footballers’ impasse after their county board executive rejected its recommendations yesterday.

In a joint statement, the organisations expressed “disappointment” and “regret” the county board’s management committee felt their recommendations were not “appropriate way forward” for the country. The GAA and GPA proposed to include “an independent end of season consultative review of protocols relevant to Fermanagh’s inter-county teams”.

Effectively, they suggested John O’Neill’s position as manager should be evaluated after the county exit in this year’s All-Ireland SFC.

However, in a press release the Fermanagh board’s management committee reaffirmed “that all our team managers are appointed to a three-year term” and they fully endorsed the “management team of John O’Neill and his backroom team”.

Lying third from bottom in Division 4, O’Neill’s management came under scrutiny following the departure of 10 players from his panel last month.

Not all the players had issues with O’Neill. Some cited other reasons for their departure, such as soccer opportunities. However, the Fermanagh management committee yesterday admitted they had received a letter last week signed by four players announcing they were formally withdrawing from the panel.

The joint GAA-GPA statement released from Croke Park yesterday read: “The GAA and GPA met with representatives of the Fermanagh county committee and a number of players that are no longer on the county’s senior football panel on Thursday night last, March 24.

“Having listened to the concerns highlighted by both parties, the GAA/GPA put forward a proposal which they believed represented a reasonable way forward and which would bring the matter to a conclusion.

“This included an independent end-of-season consultative review of protocols relevant to Fermanagh’s inter-county teams. This proposal was discussed at meetings of the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee on Monday night last and again last night (Wednesday March 30).

“Regretfully, the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee have decided not to accept the proposal suggested.

“It is a source of disappointment that our attempts to facilitate a solution have been unsuccessful and the GAA/GPA reiterate their availability to assist in any way in the future.”

Earlier yesterday, the Fermanagh board’s management committee sent out their own statement, backing O’Neill in a six-point press release.

As well as insisting on O’Neill having a three-year term and regarding the resolution suggestions made by the GAA and GPA as not being the right way for Fermanagh, they expressed their regret that four players “are currently unavailable for selection to our senior panel” and acknowledged their contribution to football in the county.

They underlined their commitment to “working to address issues raised by all players”. They also commended captain Barry Owens for his leadership and pledged their support to all those current senior football panel members.

The management committee concluded their statement by calling on Fermanagh supporters to be patient with O’Neill and his players as he goes through a period of rebuilding.

“We recognise that the senior team is in transition, and we ask that the current team management and players are given time and space to manage this situation. We appeal to all Fermanagh Gaels to continue their support to all our county teams.”

The management committee’s decision is likely to be the subject of some debate at next Thursday’s full county board meeting. Their choice not to accept the GAA and GPA’s recommendations will also have repercussions for their recognition protocol.

The matter will be discussed at the end of the year by the Joint Review Committee. Fermanagh face Clare in Enniskillen’s Brewster Park on Sunday.