Scrap hurling board

Hurling Commission report published in 1990

THE findings of the Hurling Commission in 1990 were published in the Wicklow and Bray People newspapers of this week 30 years ago.

The scrapping of the Hurling Board was one of the many recommendations and was made in light of the lack of power it held.

‘Scrapping of the Co. Hurling Board in Wicklow because it has no real power is proposed by the Hurling Commission in its report published last week,’ read the article.

‘The centre of power in the GAA in Wicklow rests with the Management committee and the Commission proposes changes to its personnel to better cater for hurling as well as football.

‘Clubs and people promoting hurling was the Hurling Board as having no relevance to or part in what they are doing,’ stated the Commission. ‘The common factor of administration has to be streamlined for the improvement of both games.’

‘The Commission is recommending in its report that the Hurling Board be replaced by having a County Vice-Chairman, Assistant County Secretary and Assistant Co. Treasurer, with responsibility for hurling affairs appointed to the Co. Committee and as members of the Management Committee.

‘In its report, the Commission is also calling for the appointment of a task force for hurling, a threeman team with expertise in administration, finance and coaching which would move in where there was a breakdown in administration at club level to identify problems and suggest solutions.

‘Working in close cooperation with the Task Force, the Hurling Officer would look after juvenile affairs in the county and liase with schools.

‘But the Commission does not see a need to abolish the District Juvenile Boards and in fact recommends the setting up of a County Minor Board top cater for juveniles, including Minor grade.

‘One thing the Commission found in its examination of administrative structures was that the different boards operate independently of each other, with duties and responsibilities not always clearly defined.

‘According to the Commission, there was a lack of discipline in relation to hurling fixtures and matches were cancelled at short notice for the flimsiest of reasons. That practice should be ended.

The appointment of a hurling PRO is also recommended.