‘We were spoken to like dummies from west’

A Mayo GAA club claimed they were ‘spoken to like dummies from the west of Ireland’ by Association officials in Croke Park.

The dispute centres on the insurance requirements for a charity event which Knockmore were planning to host this weekend in aid of Hope House, a local addiction treatment centre. The club had organised an All Star charity games, music, catering and a large marquee area. However, Croke Park this week has forced the cancellation of the event claiming sufficient insurance requirements were not in place.

“We were being spoken to like dummies from the west of Ireland,” said organising committee member Laurita Blewitt. “The didn’t tell us a way around it (insurance). They just said it’s not going ahead, end of.

“The Mayo Sports Partnership, which is part of Mayo County Council, came forward and offered to extend their public liability for us to host the event but they wouldn’t allow that either.

“We’re wondering what the GAA is for. We are supposed to be a community club supporting other elements in our society.

“It shows there is a big wide gulf between grassroots and Croke Park. It seems to be a different organisation. We did it last year and there was no hitch. It created goodwill and 4,000 people came from across the country.”

However Croke Park communications manager Alan Milton explained the event had to be called off as there were issues with the insurance and called on all clubs to follow protocol before organising events in future.

“The GAA can confirm its public liability and player injury scheme did not extend to cover a proposed charity match in Knockmore this weekend,” he said.

“Despite this fixture being planned for six months the first notification received by the Association at central level was one week ago.

“At that juncture full details about the event, including the installation of a marquee – which would require public liability — were not provided.

“The event was being organised for the benefit of a third party charity that was assuming no risk and despite assurances that other bodies were willing to provide cover for the event, evidence of same was never provided.

“The GAA, along with its units, invests significant amounts on an annual basis to cover those involved as players and spectators in our core activities.

“It regrets the inconvenience caused to all involved but stresses that public liability and player injury cover should have been amongst the first considerations in the initial planning process.”