Galway hurlers pack bags for Leinster move

Date Published: 02-Oct-2008

A NEW era dawns for Galway hurlers after County Board delegates voted narrowly in favour of the county’s senior team joining the 2009 Leinster championship . . . despite a number of passionate pleas against the motion at the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry on Monday night.

As a result, the five-man Galway delegation heading to the GAA’s Special Congress in Croke Park on Saturday will now support the county’s inclusion in a revamped Leinster championship, which will also include Ulster champions Antrim.

However, Galway delegates sent out a far from clear and concise message to Congress about their participation in the provincial series, given that just 66 of the 120 delegates present voted in favour of such a move. Indeed, indications from the floor throughout the emotive meeting were that the motion would not carry, with nine of the 11 speakers on the night outlining their abject reservations about the proposal.

The mood of the meeting was set from the off by Central Council delegate Bernie O’Connor, who not only detailed his misgivings about the HDC proposal, but he also chastised GAA President Nicky Brennan for remarks the Kilkenny man made regarding Galway’s lack of leadership on this issue.

O’Connor fumed: “Just because we (a number of leading officials) are not backing his view does not mean we are not showing leadership on this and people should not be criticised for doing that.”

The Central Council delegate also alluded to the implications for Galway hurling in playing in the Leinster championship, as did Athenry’s Jarlath Cloonan, who – while acknowledging the present structure had to change – believed the proposal before the meeting was not the solution. “I have been only following this through what I have heard and what I have read and one thing that continues to be put forward is that Leinster needs a boost. It is not able to meet its financial commitment and I am wondering is this an attempt to improve the finances of Leinster hurling because, if it is, then this proposal is not for the good of Galway hurling.

“They also say there was ……