FRC chairman Gavin may have lesser role at Special Congress

 Fianna Fail's Presidential candidate Jim Gavin addresses media on Castle Street in Dalkey. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The Football Review Committee (FRC) are anticipating chairman Jim Gavin will have a lesser role at Special Congress on Saturday week.

A request has been made to the other members of the body to co-present the motions to make permanent changes to Gaelic football in Croke Park on October 4.

The GAA leadership are split about Gavin, the Fianna Fáil candidate for the presidency, delivering the proposals 20 days out from the election. 

While there are some who wish to see him “complete the job” after 18 months of a process, others are wary of the platform it provides in a non-party political organisation.

At the same time, Gavin’s presidential rival Heather Humphreys spoke at the opening of dressing rooms at Donaghmoyne GAA club in Monaghan this past weekend. Former GAA president Aogán Farrell has declared his support for Humphreys.

At Central Council earlier this month, Gavin introduced the suite of changes but the rule changes were presented by Liam Keane, chairman of the standing playing rules committee.

In the event Gavin is not outlining and answering questions on the motions, the likes of former Clare, Kerry and Mayo managers Colm Collins, Éamonn Fitzmaurice and James Horan could deputise.

Meanwhile, Louth GAA’s new stadium should have its roof in place by next month. County chairman Seán McClean confirmed to LMFM that work is progressing well on the venue in Dundalk and going to schedule.

“We’re coming up out of the ground now,” said McClean. “You can actually see the stand starting to take shape and form. So, we hope within the next couple of weeks that the precast (concrete) is coming and we would start getting the rest of the stand finished and start getting the roof formed.” The pitch at the stadium, which is initially expected to have a capacity of 6,000 including just over 4,000 seats, is expected to be laid in March with the aim of it being opened next September. The second phase will involve developing terraces with the capacity eventually climbing to 14,000.

McClean said Louth GAA supporters have thus far contributed €1.5 million to the venture via levies. The initial cost is expected to come close to €24m and more is expected to be raised when the seats are sold and another Win A House draw will be taking place.

As well as Central Council and Leinster GAA, Louth also secured funding via the now defunct Immigrant Investment Programme, which was believed to be up to €14.8m.