Watershed moment
IT WAS a watershed moment in the history of both Kilanerin and Tara Rocks when they were granted permission to take the games of hurling and football in a new direction in their respective parishes.
As the result of a 37-10 vote by club delegates at Tuesday’s County Board meeting, Kilanerin will now be identified as a sole football parish, with permission to have Tara Rocks players to transfer to them for footballing purposes, with a reverse role being adopted for hurling as Ballyfad players will now operate under the Tara Rocks umbrella.
While the two clubs are adjoining, they are in different parishes. They had already been joined at under-age level, playing as Ballinastragh Gaels in a partnership which has been in operation for some ten years.
Following initial contact with Croke Park, both clubs met with Teresa Rehill, Operations Manager, on the day of the last Rules Advisory Committee meeting. While the objective was for both clubs to come together at adult level, the players could not become free agents as a consequence of their respective clubs withdrawing from one code.
However, in a letter from Croke Park, it was pointed out that the problem with such an arrangement is the existence of the parish rule in Wexford, although it was noted that in the Wexford bye-laws there was at least temporary provision for some deviation in the case of players in Wexford town clubs.
The letter, however, stressed that it was made clear that the proposed arrangement required the support of the Wexford County Board. It was also stressed that it would be a matter for the Wexford C.C.C. to consider applications for transfers from one of the clubs to the other and vice-versa in the respective codes, and that such transfers be confined to the clubs concerned.
In other words, they were to be treated as free agents on the basis of ‘defunct’ affiliations, with permission on an annual basis suggested. The letter added that such arrangements are approved in Cork but they do not have the parish rule in force.
It was also felt in the letter that the Wexford executive would have to decide whether or not to recommend such an arrangement to the County Committee, and if Wexford took the decision itself that would be fine.
As regards clarifications sought by Wexford, the letter stated:
(1) It would be best treated, in the light of its bye-law, not as a permanent arrangement but as one subject to annual approval. An amalgamation as such is not proposed by the clubs, and independent teams may apply only in under-age competitions;
(2) As stated, it is a matter for decision by Wexford. There would be no basis, in the light of its bye-laws, for a successful appeal by the clubs externally. Wexford would be acting within its powers in rule;
(3) Obviously there would be no Ballyfad affiliations, but for the arrangement proposed to be practical and successful the players would be tied by transfers within the arrangement proposed by the clubs.
The request to the meeting was put by Seamus Hughes (Kilanerin) and Jim O’Connor (Tara Rocks), who outlined in details the reasons behind the move and the problems facing the respective clubs into the future. The clubs won huge support for their proposal, which was passed on a vote of 37-10. JOE KELLY resigned as Wexford G.A.A. Children’s Officer, just hours after the first County Board meeting of 2017.
This decision is the latest setback to hit the association in the county as Kelly, who had agreed to remain on in his role, was setting out on an important year given that the national Féile hurling finals will be hosted here in June.
There had been increased speculation over Kelly’s future as Children’s Officer when word began to spread on Wednesday afternoon that he had e-mailed his resignation to the County Board office. As a result, members of the county Management Committee were informed of the Naomh Eanna clubman’s decision to stand down.
Kelly issued a statement saying he was left with no option but to resign, claiming that County Chairman Derek Kent had ‘completely undermined my position and authority as County Children’s Officer’.
‘On 8th January, 2017, during the games in Gorey (Wexford v. UCD), I was approached by the County Chairman and asked if I would be interested in taking on an assistant, as he (Chairman) was aware of the huge workload that I had especially this year with my regular duties, and also with Wexford being one of the host counties for the Hurling Féile 2017,’ Kelly stated.
‘I agreed to this proposal and on Monday, 30th January, I spoke with the proposed assistant, and she informed me that on Tuesday night’s County Board meeting she was going to be ratified as Children’s Officer, with complete authority for the New Ross and Wexford Districts, and that I was in charge of the Gorey/Enniscorthy Districts. She also informed me that she was being co-opted on to the County Management Committee on Tuesday night also.
‘I rang the County Chairman immediately and he informed me it was his intention to do as I was informed. I enlightened him that he did not have the authority or the power to do same.
‘I also informed him that each county is only allowed one County Children’s Officer (Rule 3.11 (a)) and in doing what he proposed he has completely undermined my position and authority as County Children’s Officer.
‘I spoke briefly to the County Chairman on Tuesday night. Unfortunately we were unable to come to any agreement. On Wednesday afternoon I was left with no other option but to resign my position,’ Kelly added.
‘I took up the post as Children’s Officer for County Wexford during the spring of 2015 and I really enjoyed my job and was looking forward to continuing my work in the future.’
At a meeting of the G.A.A. Management Committee held in the Ferrycarrig Hotel on January 23, the minutes state ‘that in light of the importance of the role to appoint an assistant to the Children’s Officer. Joe Kelly, the current officer, will now cover the northern half of the county, while Angela McCormack will cover the southern half’.
When it came to officer board contributions to Tuesday night’s meeting, it is believed that Joe Kelly was not asked to speak in his role as Children’s Officer.
Wexford County Board issued the following statement at 7.17 p.m. on Friday: ‘The Chairman of Wexford GAA, Derek Kent, today expressed his appreciation for the work done by Joe Kelly, Children’s Officer, who stood down from that role on the 1st February 2017.
‘Joe has been a valued member of the Coiste Bainistí since he was appointed a number of years ago and I wish him well in the future.
‘As Wexford GAA prepares for a particularly busy year, with the arrival of the National Féile na nGael competition, it is especially important that the Children’s Officer role is filled quickly and with expertise that role deserves.
‘The Chairman is therefore delighted to announce that Dermot Howlin has been appointed to the role in the interim. An announcement on a long-term replacement will be made in coming weeks.’