Conflict sees motion fail

Walkovers causing issues

A suggested change to walkovers in a motion put forward by the Barndarrig GAA Club had to be withdrawn despite the County Chairman saying, “It’s probably the right thing to do”.

“We’re seeking guidance on this, Martin (Fitzgerald). What’s the current situation on that?” asked the Barndarrig delegate when their motion, ‘A club cannot give a walkover in a higher grade of championship if they still have a team in competition in a lower grade of championship’, was brought before the County Board meeting in Ballinakill.

“You can’t stop anyone from giving a walkover at any time,” said Martin Fitzgerald. “Even in Senor championship,” he added.

“So, as we understand it,” began the Barndarrig delegate, “if an Intermediate team gives a walkover and they still have a Junior team competing in a championship, that’s fine?”

“But the Intermediate players cannot play in the Junior championship,” said Martin Fitzgerald.

“Yeah, but, should the team not use their Junior players to fulfil the Intermediate fixture? Do you not have to fulfil your higher grades first?” said the Barndarrig delegate.

“It’s probably the right thing to do, but we don’t have to,” replied Martin Fitzgerald.

“Well that’s exactly why we’re bringing it here tonight, we think it’s the right thing to do,” said the Barndarrig delegate.

“It’s a conflict to rule, though,” said Martin Fitzgerald. “We don’t make the rules here”.

“The rule states that you can give a walkover in any grade of the championship and your lower grade teams aren’t affected?” Inquired the delegate.

“That’s correct,” replied the County Chairman. “And we’d have to go to Congress to change that”.

“It kind of goes against the spirit of the competitions, it makes a mockery of the gradings. Just as regards last year, that did happen. An Intermediate hurling team gave a walkover and their Junior hurling team competed the week after in the championship.

“You know, for small clubs with only one team, it makes a bit of a joke of the whole thing,” he added.

“But the Intermediate hurlers couldn’t play Junior hurling,” said Martin Fitzgerald.

“But the bottom line is you say we can’t change that here tonight?” Asked the Barndarrig man.

“Can’t change that here. That has to go to Congress,” replied Martin Fitzgerald. “Are you withdrawing that?”

“Sure, we’ll have to,” came the reply.

The motion was withdrawn.