Central Council meet over GAA disciplinary matters

The Central Council of the GAA met earlier today at Croke Park where a number of issues in relation to discipline were discussed.

GAA President Nickey Brennan called the Central Council meeting during the week following recent disciplinary controversies, of which last month's pre-match brawl between the Clare and Cork hurlers was the most high profile.

Following the meeting, the GAA issued a lengthy statement.

"At the outset it was pointed out that the current disciplinary system has been working effectively," it read.

"This is borne out by the facts that in 125 cases where suspensions were proposed hearings were requested in only 15 instances."

Following recommendations from the Management Committee, the following motions were agreed by the Council:

1. It is agreed by Ard-Chomhairle that no system of discipline can be administered satisfactorily unless there is a universal acceptance that indiscipline cannot be tolerated. There must be a change of culture and mindset in terms of respect for authority, for the games officials, rules, procedures and structures. Central Council directs all units to ensure that all disciplinary issues within counties are dealt with expeditiously and in accordance with rules.

Provincial Councils have been instructed to hold meetings with their counties to discuss the matters referred to hereunder.

2. It is also acknowledged and recognised that it is a fundamental right of any player/unit to avail fully of the terms and parameters of the disciplinary system from a premise of natural justice and acceptance of the raison d'etre of the system.

3. Ard-Chomhairle directs that a range of initiatives to educate members and the general public on the operation of the disciplinary system take place in the coming weeks.

4. In accordance with the current Rule 144 (e), Ard-Chomhairle directs that the Central Competitions Control Committee may make a written request for clarification from a referee where the Committee is in the course of investigating a possible infraction.

In that context the CCCC can choose to provide the referee with reliable and unedited video evidence of the possible infraction. In the event that the referee confirms his decision no further action may be taken, but if he states that he did not adjudicate on a particular case or that he did not deal with it appropriately the case may be pursued further.

5. That procedures in relation to an appeal to the Central Appeals Committee are re-affirmed as follows by Ard-Chomhairle. Arrangements for an appeal are only confirmed once an appeal has been received in writing by the Secretary of the CAC, an oral hearing has been requested and all the parties to the hearing have been officially notified of arrangements.

6. Ard-Chomhairle reaffirms that any County Committee official, team official(s) or players who make derogatory comments in relation to games, officials and ddministrators shall be dealt with in accordance with Rule.

7. The Ard-Chomhairle directs that the CCCC will no longer make notification of proposed suspensions public until the player/unit has accepted the proposed penalty or the matter has been fully dealt with by the CHC.

8. Ard-Chomhairle agrees that a group will be asked to review the current disciplinary system at the end of this year.

9. Ard-Chomhairle directs that a Code of Conduct for officials/players at all levels of our Association be established.

The statement also confirmed that the Cork County Board have "accepted the proposals from the CCCC in relation to the qualifier games for this year's Guinness All-Ireland senior hurling championship."

It was announced last Monday that the upcoming hurling qualifiers would be played on a home and away basis, as in previous years.

However, the Cork Board subsequently forwarded a letter to the CCCC which argued for neutral venues for the qualifier matches on the basis that "home and away venues were not specified in the relevant motion submitted to Congress."

The qualifiers get underway next Saturday with Cork travelling to Parnell Park to take on an up-and-coming Dublin side.