No joy for transfer motion

HUGH O’Keeffe from the Stratford-Grangecon club addressed convention in relation to motion number eight on the night which stated: That no transfer be allowed within the county for a period of three years unless total agreement is given between the two clubs involved.

I’m sure some of you will wonder why there’s a need for this motion and what precisely we are trying to achieve,” said O’Keeffe. “The objective is simply to amend our bye-laws in order to agree a moratorium on the contested transfers within our county for a period of three years.

“The present practice of poaching players from adjoining clubs, as we have been doing, is clearly one of the principle reasons why there is so much mistrust, division and lack of cooperation generally between neighbouring clubs.

“If we are seriously committed to lifting our organisation in this county from where ae are today to a place that we can all be proud of then the most immediate requirement is to restore the trust and cooperation between clubs.

“We’ve deliberately suggested a relatively short period of time of three years.

“If it brings the required results it can be extended, and should it not yield any benefit we can always revert to the status quo,” he added.

Martin Coleman explained that it was not just a case of changing a bye-law but that it was changing a rule as well and would have to go to Congress.

Hugh O’Keeffe clarified that it was contested transfers that were the issue.

He said that the county could continue to bury its head in the stand when it comes to this divisive issue or the county could try to find an informed, progressive way around the difficulties.

The motion was put to the floor and was lost.