Galway GAA chiefs gearing up for top levels talks over unfair treatment by Leinster

GALWAY GAA officials are preparing a submission for an upcoming showdown with the Association’s Management Committee in Croke Park over the county’s ‘unfair treatment’ in the provincial hurling championship by the Leinster Council.

Following the Council’s refusal last week to grant Galway senior hurlers a home and away arrangement for the Leinster championship, together with keeping the county’s U21s and minors out of the province, Tribesmen officials have given up the ghost in agitating for a better deal with Leinster’s ruling authority.

Galway CEO John Hynes said this week that there was nothing to be gained from trying to persuade the Leinster Council to grant the county what they are looking for. “There have been a number of meetings where we have aired our grievances, but self-interests are alive and well in Leinster. These are the vibes we have picked up for a long time and nothing is changing.”

Hynes revealed that Galway had recently met with the GAA’s Director General, Padraic Duffy, to outline the county’s frustrations over the lack of a level playing field in Leinster and that this had helped to pave the way for the upcoming talks with the Management Committee.

Though Galway remain disgruntled over the complete lack of home games in the Leinster championship, Hynes says the county’s biggest priority is trying to get their minors and U21s into the province – a shocking anomaly which reflects terribly on the provincial council.

Though its Chairman John Horan has pointed out Galway have won more All-Ireland minor titles since 1989 than the entire Leinster province, Hynes counters that their focus is not about winning but rather player development.

“It’s fantastic to be winning All-Ireland minor titles, but it goes to our heads. We need to change our focus – it’s about meaningful competitive games for our under-age teams. We feel we are at a significant disadvantage as was shown with our minors this year.”

Galway are also angry over the lack of financial recompense for their participation in the Leinster championship. Hynes revealed a few weeks ago that the county had only received a paltry total of €130,000 from the Leinster Council since arriving in the province in 2009 up to last year.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.