Galway GAA wants no more winners hanging out car windows

Galway GAA has warned clubs to ban players ‘hanging out of car windows’ with trophies during celebration cavalcades after finals.

The Association’s Health and Wellbeing committee has warned that unless the ‘dangerous’ practice is stopped, it will cancel all cavalcade homecomings in the city and county.

The local GAA insist it’s not being a ‘party pooper’ and was issuing the directive to clubs in the interest of children’s health and safety. The fear of insurance claims is another reason behind the ban.

It has become common practice now in Galway following Gaelic football and hurling final matches, particularly at underage levels, that the winning team would have a cup homecoming.

Children are often seen hanging out windows with the cup and waving parish flags and jerseys. But the GAA wants them banned because of safety fears.

And it has insisted that hanging out car windows is illegal – Galway Gardaí have confirmed to the GAA locally that parents or club officials driving cars where minors are not wearing a seat belt are liable for penalty points and fines.

Galway GAA has issued a directive to clubs insisting that the only way for a cup to be displayed in a car in a victory motorcade is out a roof-top opening or sunroof.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.