Dublin pledge to amend ‘badly written’ TV rights motion
In yesterday’s Irish Examiner, Galway secretary John Hynes highlighted an anomaly in the motion as it stands: “What is the implication if every game is to be televised free-to-air live? It would be criminal. If it is free-to-air in Ireland, we will support it.”
Shanley said it was always Dublin’s belief the rule should apply to Ireland only and they will seek to amend it to that effect prior to it being debated and voting on Saturday.
“Dublin have put it in but we realised it was badly-worded when we saw it printed. Our intention was that the games would be free-to-air in Ireland. We appreciate if it’s going to Sky it’s going to be shown all over the world. Whether you’re in New York or Melbourne, you have to pay for it.
“We have no objection to Sky or anybody else getting rights so long as the games are free-to-air in Ireland.”
Meanwhile, the Dublin senior and intermediate football championship are likely to be played off over a blitz-style schedule in the autumn because of the Leinster Council’s decision to bring forward their senior hurlers’ Leinster semi-final eight days in May because of Bruce Springsteen’s gigs in Croke Park.
Dublin had organised their fixtures programme on the basis of the GAA’s master fixtures, which were confirmed before Christmas. They had arranged the first round of their senior and intermediate championships for May 15 but can’t now go ahead with it as, under bye-law, members of the Dublin hurlers who play football for their clubs will be deemed unavailable.
Shanley criticised the provincial council for the late notice. “It looks like our championship is going to be squeezed into the end of year again. The bad thing about that was they brought out the master fixtures plan and everybody planned holidays and everything else around that and then they go and change it. They should have given a warning that there was a possibility of it changing. Very poor.
“To try and get teams for the Leinster club will be difficult. Leinster have been reasonable in that they’re going to move out the dates but you’re up at Christmas again.”
Shanley hit back at those who claim Dublin have been receiving too much money compared to other counties.
“The numbers of clubs we have in Dublin and number of younger players involved in the games is huge, especially in Coolock, Ballyboden, Brigid’s. They have thousands of kids. I think what the critics miss is for every euro we get is matched by local money.”
On Saturday, Dublin will support GAA director general Páraic Duffy’s proposals on making minor level U17 and replacing the U21 All-Ireland football championship with an U20 development championship.
“We’re in favour of them but we’re against the ‘B’ championship,” he said.
Dublin will also endorse the introduction of the mark to Gaelic football.
