Bitter row as parents pull kids out of GAA club

The largest GAA club in Connacht is facing a parent’s revolt in a bitter row over underage team trainers.

Parents of juvenile players in at least one team in Salthill / Knocknacarra GAA Club have withdrawn their children from training and called for an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) to air their grievances following a breakdown in relations with the club committee.

In a statement to the Galway City Tribune, a group of 25 “concerned parents” claim their children are being used as pawns in a dispute involving adults.

This group have pledged to take on the club committee, “fighting this through the courts if necessary”.

The dispute centres around a large number of underage trainers who were let go and replaced with new trainers.

Club Juvenile director John Daly was voted out as juvenile director at an AGM last October which was attended by 140 people, when average meetings would attract no more than 40 members. He was replaced with Norman Costello, who went on to replace many of the underage management teams.

“The removal of almost all the juvenile trainers – some of whom have been volunteering for up to six years training underage teams at the club – was followed by the immediate appointment and subsequent ratification of a number of juvenile team managers against many parents’ wishes,” the parents insist.

“A large group of parents were aghast at some of the proposed appointments and at the shoddy manner [in which] many dedicated volunteers were treated.

“To a large number of people in this area, this is a huge issue involving a number of very serious matters, not least of which is the welfare and care of our children. So far, we have been ignored by the club committee.

“These actions are expressly against our wishes. This was communicated to the club committee and we were told that our views and concerns were overruled and that the club was continuing with its underage strategy regardless of our concerns.”

Since last Sunday some parents have withdrawn their children from training, which they say will continue until an agreement is reached. Just five turned up for training for the U13 session, when normally up to 30 would tog out.

The committee has indicated in various meetings with parents that they are standing steadfastly behind the new director.

At the time of going to print, Salthill / Knocknacarra GAA Club chairman Peter O’Halloran had not returned calls.

The club is already mired in a bitter dispute over its proposed move to pitches at Rahoon where the club currently awaits a planning decision.

Rahoon Newcastle Hurling Club, St Michael’s GAA Club and Bearna GAA Club are likely to fight the move which could devastate their membership. However, that plan is now up in the air as one of the new routes for the outer bypass cuts right through the pitches.