Fresh twist in club hurling relegation controversy

Date Published: 08-Nov-2012

There was a new twist to the current senior relegation saga when Galway Hurling Board issued a fresh statement yesterday (Wednesday) noting the matter would have to be placed in the hands of delegates at a special meeting to take place in the Maldron Hotel in Oranmore next Monday night.

It had looked as if last week’s appeal and objection – both, by and large, seeking that no senior team be relegated from the top tier – lodged by Liam Mellows and Clarinbridge hurling clubs respectively had been upheld by Galway Competitions Control Committee on Tuesday.

This was done upon the recommendation of Galway Hearings Committee.

However, it now appears the final say on the matter lies with the delegates who sanctioned the proposed championship structure last year – and not with Galway CCC, Galway Hearings Committee and Galway Hurling Board, all of which have made declarations on the issue.

Wednesday’s statement from Galway Hurling Board read: “Following further clarification, the Galway GAA CC Committee cannot accept or approve the recommendations made by the County Hearings Committee, in relation to the appeal by the Liam Mellows GAA Club against the playing the Senior Hurling Relegation Competition for 2012, and have referred the matter to the Hurling Board for a decision.

“The Executive of the Hurling Board decided at a meeting last night [Tuesday] that, as the officers of the Hurling Board are members of the CC Committee, it was not within their remit to either decide to appeal or accept the recommendation of the Galway Hearings Committee.

“In order to bring clarity to the situation and get a consensus, a special delegate meeting of the Galway Hurling Board has been called for Monday next, November 12, in the Maldron Hotel, Oranmore to decide on the recommendation of the Hearings Committee and the consequences for the 2012 Relegation Competition.”

This was the latest in a number of statements that have been issued over the previous week – causing a great deal of confusion in hurling circles – and this latest press release is Galway Hurling Board’s move to find a resolution to the controversy.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.