Third-level institutions win support

Third-level institutions survived unscathed as moves to change eligibility rules for the provincial and All-Ireland club championships…

Third-level institutions survived unscathed as moves to change eligibility rules for the provincial and All-Ireland club championships were defeated during Saturday afternoon's debate at congress.

A motion from Athenry in Galway proposed to debar third-level colleges from participating and stipulated that should they win a county championship, the relevant county board shall nominate another club to represent it.

There was support from Dublin where UCD's presence in the county hurling - and to a lesser extent, football - championship has caused controversy in recent seasons.

Jack Devanney, chair of the colleges' governing Comhairle Árd Oideachais, pointed out that proposals to tighten the regulations on third-level participation, passed at the 2006 congress, and due to take effect this year should be given a chance.

READ MORE

Cork's Frank Murphy said that his county was supportive of the role played and contribution made by third-level institutions in the association.

The motion was heavily defeated and deemed not to have received a third of the votes, meaning that the issue cannot be raised again for another three years.

There was also defeat for a motion to readmit divisional teams to the club championship (although East Kerry won the first All-Ireland in 1971, divisional sides have been excluded since shortly afterwards).

Clonaslee-St Manman's in Laois proposed the change provided the division represents no more than three clubs and a population of not greater than 6,000.

The full text of Nickey Brennan's annual address can be read on www.ireland.com/focus

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • What’s making headlines in the rugby world? Listen to The Counter Ruck podcast with Nathan Johns

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered to your phone

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times