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www.celtic-connection.com
MAY 2005
GAA NEWS ROUND-UP
GAA Agrees to Open Up Croke Park
DUBLIN - In what is being hailed as a momentous decision, delegates at the GAA annual congress voted to allow soccer and rugby to be played at Croke Park. A motion which would give central council authority to permit other sports to be played in the famous stadium was passed by the necessary two-thirds majority.
The motion was, however, quite specific in that it relates solely to the period during which Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.
That situation won't arise for another two or three years and when it does the soccer and rugby authorities are expected to request the use of Croke Park to stage international fixtures. The alternative will be to play them overseas.
Speculation on the outcome of the April 16 vote became intense as county boards mandated their delegates to vote for or against the motion to amend Rule 42.
The numbers appeared to be edging towards change but there were always a few imponderables.
In Ulster just Donegal and Cavan supported any relaxation to Rule 42. In the other three provinces only Cork opposed change while Mayo was undecided. The Cork stance was somewhat controversial in that no vote was taken.
It was agreed to accept the chairman's argument that such an important issue could only be dealt with at the annual county convention, leaving delegates to congress to abide by the ruling made at the 2003 convention. On that occasion the vote against change was 72 to 17.
What made the outcome unclear was the lack of clarity about the intentions of some overseas delegates, and uncertainty about another 16 votes to be cast by GAA management and representatives of schools, colleges and handball.
On the day, 12 delegates were missing or did not vote and the motion was carried by 227 to 97, 11 votes in excess of the necessary two-thirds majority. Those in favour of change were concerned when delegates agreed to a secret ballot and at that stage many observers concluded that the ban would continue.
Both sides of the argument presented their case passionately, hoping to sway their fellow delegates, but when it was all over the result was accepted by all without a hint of acrimony.
Some local residents were equally passionate and, in a noisy protest, made it known that they believe too many fixtures are already taking place in the stadium.
No doubt a few hurdles will have to be cleared before the first soccer or rugby match is played at Croke Park. It is assumed that GAA central council will agree but the rental is likely to be more than either the soccer or rugby authorities anticipated.
There is also the question of the corporate boxes. The owners of these may well argue that they are still entitled to use them.
Delegates were faced with another big decision; selecting a successor to President Sean Kelly. Given the choice of Cork's Christy Cooney or Kilkenny's Nicky Brennan, they opted for the Klkenny man. He will take over the top job this time next year.
Celtic Heritage
SOCIETY OF CANADA
FIRST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
at Green Acres Golf Club on No. 6 Road, Richmond, on Saturday, July 30
The cost of registration is $66 per person and includes golf, a snack, prizes and lots of fun! Registration is 9:30 a.m. - First tee off at 11:00 a.m
The format is Texas scramble so foursomes are welcome to attend.
This is an important fundraiser for the CHSC who are hosting the tournament to raise funds for the development of the Celtic Cultural Centre in Burnaby.
Your sponsorship of a Complete Hole $300, Half Hole $150 or Prize Donation will help to make this year's tournament fund raiser a great success
To sponsor or register contact:
George McDonnell - 604-270-2881 - crumlin@shaw.ca or Tom O'Flynn - 604-879-3485 or Ann Carr 604-228-9527
2005 Western Canadian Divisional Board Officers
(Vancouver) Chair: John O'Flynn - (604) 929-0683 joflynn@mulgrave.com.
(Fort McMurray) Secretary: Ronan Deane - (780) 743-7657 ronandeane@hotmail.com.
(Edmonton) Treasurer: Danielle Bodnarek
(780)472-1472 daniellebodnarek@shaw.ca.
(Calgary) Member at Large:
Noel Tuohy - (403) 560-0036 ntuohy@shaw.ca.
(Calgary) Member at Large:
Kim Tulloch - (403) 245-9343 Kimberly.Tulloch@bp.cpm.
(Edmonton) Member at Large:
John O'Connor - (780) 436-2444 -jacquiejohn@telus.net.
2005 Western
Canadian Divisional Club
Presidents
Vancouver Harps -
Gavan Connolly - (604) 725-7219 gavanconnolly@hotmail.com.
Calgary Chieftains - Noel Tuohy -(403) 560-0036 - ntuohy@shaw.ca.
Edmonton Wolfe Tones -
Christy Whelehan - (780) 777-8570 chris@celtichomes.ab.ca.
2007 UEFA Cup Final for Hampden
In 2002, the national football stadium at Hampden in Glasgow hosted the European Champions League Final. The event was so successful that the European football governing body has decided to hold the UEFA Cup Final at Hampden in 2007.
Officials were impressed not only by the facilities and organization for fans, players and the media, but also by the enthusiasm of the Scottish people. Glasgow in particular, enjoying the economic benefit of tens of thousands of fans coming from all over Europe, laid out the red carpet and those efforts have paid off with this latest accolade.
What are you doing for your
Mother on Mother's Day?
VANCOUVER - Why not get Mother's Day celebrations started off early by taking her to the Celtic Heritage's Mother's Day Dance on May 7. There's a really great band called the Rogues n' Tinkers that is sure to get her toes tapping. The dance is at the Polish Hall at Fraser and 24th Avenue and for a 015 admission fee, Mother can enjoy a great evening. Tickets are available at the door, or call Tom O'Flynn at (604) 879-3485. Doors open at 7 PM.
GAA Referees and Coaches Clinic in San Francisco
By JOHN O'FLYNN
VANCOUVER - On April 8 to 10,1 attended a referees and coaches clinic presented by representatives from the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association and hosted by the San Francisco Western Divisional Board of the North American County Board. Kezar Stadium and the United Irish Cultural Centre were the venues for the activities.
Special thanks to the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club for their support in covering the cost of the flight!
Former secretary of the Clare Hurling and County Board, Simon Moroney, who now serves as Secretary of the Munster Council andMalachyHiggins, Chairman of the Western Divisional Board of the NACB, were perfect in the successful presentation of the weekend's activities.
I want to acknowledge the assistance of San Francisco's Frankie Keenan (Antrim and first cousin to Frank Campbell in Calgary, Alberta) and John O'Flynn (Cork and San Francisco Youth Officer) who were very gracious to myself and my father Thomas over the weekend.
The referee's clinic was presented by tutor Kevin Walsh (Clare), Secretary of the Munster Council Referee Committee, who brought information and materials that will be forwarded to the Canadian clubs of the Western Divisional Board of the Canadian County Board.
Kevin's clinic assisted with preparations for the Inter-continental Youth Championships August 5-7, which will be in San Francisco where I, and the other American participants, will be assisting as referees for this prestigious tournament.
Pat Daly (Head of Games Development in Croke Park) sent over 36 ground hurls designed for children's indoor play along with 18 modified sliotars which were presented to me by former Kerry senior footballer and hurler Maurice Leahy.
Maurice serves full time as the Games Promotion Officer for the Kerry County Board and acted as tutor for the hurling clinic on the weekend.
These ground hurls will enhance the Gaelic games workshops at the week long Ceili Camp in August 14-20 at Harrison Hot Springs (www.dedannan.ca). These ground hurls will be used by the Vancouver ISSC as it works to develop a youth component and may also be made available to interested teachers who wish to introduce hurling.
Master tutor Tomas Queally (Clare) presented the clinic for football. I had met Tomas last year when he presented in San Francisco and he has coached at inter county minor U21 and Senior level.
I was pleased to meet once again with Tom and Patricia Hayes (Limerick) who are parents to San Francisco's Fire Chief Sheila Hayes-White. I want to wish Tom a speedy recovery from recent surgery and hope all will go well for him.
GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION NEWS
By JOHN KEANE ALL IRELAND CHANGES - The dates for the 2006 All-Ireland hurling and football finals are each moved up one week to avoid a clash with golf's Ryder Cup. The 2006 hurling final will be played on September 3, and the 2006 football final on September 17. The 2006 Ryder Cup will be played at the K Club in Kildare from September 22-24.
GAA CONGRESS - The GAAs annual Congress has voted to permit soccer and rugby games at Croke Park during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, the rugby stadium first opened in 1876. It is unlikely that soccer and rugby games will be played there any time soon, but two of the complex issues that would first need to be addressed are floodlighting and stadium segregation.
While Croke Park is already wired for floodlighting, the process of installing lights would be extremely complex and costly. Assigning Hill 16 to the out-of-towners may be the way to deal with the segregation issue, as Hill 16 is already segregated from the rest of the stadium.
RULE CHANGES - Helmets with face guards are now compulsory for all hurlers up and including the U21 grades. Goalkeepers are also allowed the option of using plastic tees for kick outs. Congress also ratified the appointment of Liam Keane, a former member of the Seattle Gaels, as secretary of a newly established GAA arbitration process.
The independent arbitration committee will serve as a disputes resolution authority that will handle all appeals of County Board decisions. All GAA members are required by virtue of their membership of the GAA to use the arbitration route instead of the High Court. It also offers a cheaper, quicker and more flexible way to resolve disputes.