Uncertainty surrounds Jim Gavin's GAA Special Congress presentation due to presidential bid
As chairman of the Football Review Committee, Jim Gavin would be expected to make a presentation to Special Congress before delegates vote on Gaelic football's new rules. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
There is uncertainty Jim Gavin will present his Football Review Committee (FRC) motions to Special Congress next month if he is chosen as the Fianna Fáil candidate for the presidential election on Tuesday.
At last November’s Special Congress, the six-time All-Ireland SFC winning manager outlined the experimental changes to Gaelic football, which received overwhelming backing from delegates.
As FRC chairman, Gavin would be expected to do so again in Croke Park on October 4 when delegates meet in Croke Park to determine which of the proposals are to be made permanent rules in Gaelic football.
However, it is understood there are some reservations both within the GAA and Fianna Fáil about him taking the stage 20 days before the presidential election takes place.
While Gavin was wished the best in his pursuit of the Fianna Fáil candidacy when he presented the motions to Central Council on Saturday, the GAA’s rulebook could prohibit him from delivering the motions.
Rule 1.9 of the GAA’s Official Guide states: “The Association shall be non-party political. Party political questions shall not be discussed at its meetings, and no Committee, Club, Council or representative thereof shall take part, as such, in any party-political movement.”
Although Gavin’s would-be presentation is the culmination of 18 months of work, to have such a platform so close to an election could be considered a tacit endorsement of the 54-year-old in the race for the Áras.
The GAA are being careful around the subject. Speaking at the JFK Summer School in New Ross last month, GAA president Jarlath Burns said Gavin would make “a fantastic president” but added: “It’s not the job of the president of the GAA to make any party political comment whatsoever so there are a really good number of other candidates who are available.”
Even if Gavin receives the green light from Croke Park to speak, Fianna Fáil may choose to pull him out to avoid him receiving criticism. The vast majority of the Gavin-led body’s motions should pass but a number of counties are set to challenge some of his group’s recommendations such as the clock/hooter and the advanced mark.
There have also been a number of controversies relating to the new rules in recent club championship games. Mayo club Hollymount-Carramore are lodging an objection to their intermediate championship exit at the hands of Kilmaine on Friday on account of a contested two-point score.
Kilmaine’s Kevin Mullin was adjudged by the referee to have kicked over a two-pointer when video evidence clearly demonstrated he had made the score inside the 40-metre arc and it should have counted for one point. The game ended in a draw knocking Hollymount-Carramore out of the competition.
The Fermanagh Division 1 league final was ordered to be replayed as a similar situation occurred when Derrygonnelly Harps were awarded a couple of two-pointers for scores converted inside the arc. The scoreline had read 0-17 to 0-15 in their favour against Erne Gaels. Derrygonnelly agreed to the re-fixture.
While Gavin has been attempting to secure support ahead of Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary vote, he has also been busy putting the final touches to an intense project with the FRC. As well as Central Council, he also presented the final recommendations of the FRC to counties last Friday week.
