Watershed moment
Kilanerin and Tara Rocks bid backed
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.