Fermanagh player backs anti-grants movement

Fermanagh footballer Colm Bradley caused a stir last night when he put forward a motion to the Fermanagh GAA Convention requesting that all units of the Association debate the current issue of grants to inter-county players.

Bradley's club Enniskillen Gaels put forward the motion on his behalf. The player, who works as a journalist, had the resounding support of those present with delegates passing the motion unanimously.

Meanwhile, the anti-government-grants movement continues to gather momentum and another meeting is planned for this Wednesday night in the Cavan Crystal Hotel at 7.30pm.

Yesterday it was revealed that a case is been taken through a firm of solicitors in Omagh to the DRA (Disputes Resolution Authority).

The case was filed on Thursday last and those behind it believe that the GAA is contravening its own rules and that the change to Rule 11 in relation to the awarding of Government grants is happening without going through the proper channels, i.e. GAA Congress.

Tyrone natives Mark Conway and Donal McAnallen, along with Longford businessman Joe O'Brien, are of the view that the payments are in contravention of the rule which governs the Association's amateur status.

Conway, who was behind a recent anti-grants meeting in Toome, County Antrim, recently stepped down from his post on fundraising body Club Tyrone while McAnallen quit his role as Secretary of the GAA's Higher Education Council.