Interesting debate over permissions application
THE seeking of 12 permissions from the St Mary’s (Coolkenno and Shilellagh) juvenile club generated some interesting debate at the recent County Board meeting in Ballinakill.
Tom Byrne of the CCC listed out 12 St Mary’s footballers, one from Shillelagh who was seeking permission to go play for Tinahely and 11 Coolkenno players looking to play for Tomacork (Carnew Emmets and Coolboy).
Coolkenno club delegate Stephen Donoghue put his case before the meeting.
“Like Michael Dwyers with their under-17s at the last meeting, we thought at the start of the year that we had enough players and we’ve found that we’ll have eight or nine and we just don’t have the numbers to be honest, some are 14-year-olds, some very young 14-year-olds.
“And at the moment we cannot compete at an level. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in that situation,” said Stephen Donoghue.
“And what are you going to do for those 11 players during the year?” asked Martin Coleman.
“We’re going to our best for them, Mr. Chairman, simple as that, whatever it takes,” said Stephen.
Wicklow GAA’s insurance officer Pat Doyle asked if that competition was 11-a-side and this was confirmed.
“And there’s 12 looking to leave?” asked Doyle.
“Yeah, but you can put down 11 on paper,” said Martin Coleman, “but that doesn’t necessarily mean that 11 will play,” he added.
“If three of them say they don’t want to play and then one of them wanst to come back, what are we going to do then?” pondered Stephen Donoghue.
“If they do change their mind, and we’re still going to work on them to change their mind, but if we don’t have anything there at all, what are they going to do, they’re definitely not going to play. We just want to give them games,” he added.
James Doran, replying to a question from Martin Fitzgerald, informed the meeting that the Tomacork club are struggling at 13-a-side and most days they would have 11 players.
“11 at one age group going to a club,” said Martin Coleman.
“Mr. Chairman, while there’s 11 players on paper, there’s never 11 players,” replied James Doran.
“I would just be concerned about what’s going to happen to those players in the future,” said Martin Coleman.
“At this point in time they’re not going to get games if they stay with us,” said Stephen Donoghue. “We want them to get games, and competitive games which is more important”.
Wicklow hurling officer Sean Hayes asked James Doran if he viewed the importation of 11 players into the panel as potentially weakening or strengthening the Tomacork club.
“I see it as a huge risk for weakening your club.
“Because the 13 players you have there, four or five of them might be fringe players and not get on the team at all,” he said.
“Well, we’d be playing 15-a-side for a start, with a panel of 24 the most you’re going have is 18 or 19 anyway,” said Carnew’s James ‘Bear’ Doran.
Stephen Donoghue reminded the meeting that there were three clubs, Carnew, Coolkenno and Coolboy (who had not yet been mentioned) involved in the process.
Bobby Dignam said that the players would surely be going back to their clubs when they are older.
Martin Coleman asked the CCC (Bridget Kenny and Tom Byrne) if they were recommending the application.
“We can’t recommend 12 players at 11-a-side,” said Bridget Kenny.
“Are those players 15 years old or younger, Stephen?” asked Martin Coleman.
“Younger,” replied Stephen Donoghue.
“The CCC are not recommending this,” Martin Coleman informed the meeting.
“And what’s the reason?” Asked Stephen Donoghue.
“Is there a rule there on that, what rule are they not recommending on it or does that have any bearing on it, can we still vote on that,” he added.
“The decision lies here with this committee,” replied Martin Coleman.
“Is the alternative then not to have these lads playing football?” Inquired James Doran.
“As far as I’m concerned I want everyone playing,” replied Martin Coleman.
The matter went to a vote then with Joe McElheron asking if the proposal was in accordance with rule.
Martin Coleman said that if he wanted to go down that road and deprive young lads of playing games then he could keep the rule book and close the doors in Ballinakill as well.
McElheron said that part of the problem was created by that “monster” permissions where clubs were struggling now and the sxtronger clubs were going to feel the backdraft because the numbers of permissions they are getting would mean that players from their own clubs would be left on the sideline and they would drift away from the games.
The vote was taken and the permissions were granted.
Martin Coleman warned the Coolkenno club to make sure their players get games during the year. Stephen Donoghue said that that was the club’s intention.