Breen’s failed proposal proves rule book is not fit for purpose

GAA county conventions often tend to arouse as much passion as a Pascal Donohoe one-man show, but Eamon Breen made sure that was not the case in Kerry this week.

The 1997 All-Ireland winner (right) pleaded for support for his Finuge club, which sought to allow children play for the club of one of their parents, in a relaxation of the parish rule. A second proposal along the same lines was submitted by St Senan’s.

Breen made the point that, in his club, they had just six players at under 6 (boys and girls) and pointed out it was not inevitable the club could sustain itself into the future.

‘It would break my heart if my son would not get to play for Finuge,’ pleaded Breen (pictured).

It was not that his plea fell on deaf ears, but it was withdrawn on the correct advice that it was a rule change that could just as easily be exploited by urban clubs, seeking to cream off the best of talent.

But there has to be a way this can be legislated for. Perhaps at underage level, those clubs that are dependent on two-teacher schools for players should benefit from the ‘parent’ rule, which would also ensure that children – in clubs where the issue is that there are too many players – would be assured of game-time.

However, the political will does not exist, centrally, to address the impact the decline in the rural population is having on GAA clubs.

Valentia Island sponsored a sensible motion to Congress this year which sought for the embargo on under 17s playing at adult level to be suspended (excluding Championship) for junior clubs with one adult team, but it was defeated.

Valentia failed to field in a number of games this year and their future is now in doubt.

The rule book is not serving its purpose, if, instead of offering some relief it can only legislate for more pain.