Bailey insists SRC proposals can be implemented

GAA Congress - Dublin development plans: The long-running impasse between the Dublin County Board and the Leinster Council over the Strategic Review Committee (SRC) proposals for the development of Gaelic games in the capital is likely to continue beyond this weekend's annual Congress in Belfast.

County chairman John Bailey said yesterday that the Leinster Council's decision not to back a joint chairman of the new committee was disappointing, but that too much commitment and too much support had already been invested into the SRC for it to be abandoned now.

"There's not going to be any knee-jerk reaction here," he said. "And we will look at it again in the cruel light of day. But the truth is we've gone too far now to go back. We owe it to the next generation of GAA players in Dublin to deliver this, and they'll never forgive us if we don't do it now."

On Wednesday night the Leinster Council refused to back the recommendation that Dublin appoint their own co-chairman of the committee (in this case Bailey), and instead will report to this morning's meeting of the Management Committee, which starts the two-day Congress in Belfast. A statement is expected after that meeting which will clarify the best way forward.

Nicky Brennan, chairman of the Leinster Council, declined to comment on Wednesday's meeting until the Management Committee consider the matter. Bailey was adamant, however, that the SRC policy for Dublin, which has been earmarked a €4.5 million budget, can still be implemented.

"It is sad that it has come down to this. But all the clubs in Dublin have fully endorsed this programme. And I want to acknowledge again the full support of the GAA director general, Liam Mulvihill, and outgoing president Seán McCague. A lot of people have put a huge amount of work, time and effort into this and it is still the best way forward for the long-term future of the GAA in Dublin."

At one point Bailey warned of a possible withdrawal of all Dublin teams from provincial competitions if Dublin were forced to appoint an outsider to oversee the SRC proposals. While maintaining the stand that Dublin's response "shouldn't be under-estimated", he has since admitted that "is not the best way to do business".

Bailey also ruled out any possible form of protest in Belfast over the next two days.

"There is no way we would do that," he said. "We would never embarrass either the incoming president or outgoing president at Congress. Not on the one occasion they get the gratitude that they deserve."

It is now over a year since the SRC published its controversial proposals on Dublin, and while the contentious split has long since been abandoned, the Dublin County Board is clearly intent in pursuing the balance of those proposals.

In the meantime, the Leinster Council have agreed to formally offer Galway a place in the Leinster hurling championship on an experimental basis for the 2004-2005 season. The idea was first penned by Brennan at the annual convention earlier this year, and while initial reaction in Galway was sceptical, they will now discuss the offer at official level and get back to the Leinster Council within the next few weeks.

In team news, Dublin's Conal Keaney has a busy weekend after being named in the under-21 football team to play Westmeath in tomorrow's Leinster semi-final, and also with the senior hurlers to play Derry in the league on Sunday.

Waterford have recalled Tom Feeney, Brian Flannery and Eoin Kelly for Sunday's National Hurling League relegation play-off against Limerick at Kilmallock.

Laois hurlers must face neighbours Offaly without attacker David Cuddy, who is nursing a leg injury which will keep him out of Sunday's league clash in Birr.

Mayo have named a strong team for Sunday's Connacht League final against Roscommon, to be played at Dr Hyde Park.

DUBLIN (Under-21 F v Westmeath): P Copeland; N Kane, M Fitzpatrick, P Griffin; N Cooper, B Cullen, C Prenderville; P Brennan, D O'Mahoney; L Óg O hEineacháin, C Keaney, D Lally; A Brogan, G Cullen, J Noonan.

DUBLIN (SH v Derry): B McLoughlin; P Brennan, S Perkins, K Ryan; S Hiney, K Wilson, K Elliot; C Keaney, R Fallon; K Horgan, K O'Donoghue, S McDonnell; T McGrane, L Ryan, K Flynn.

WATERFORD (SH v Limerick): S Bremmer; J Murray, T Feeney, B Flannery; E Murphy, D Prendergast, B Greene; T Browne, P Queally; D Shanahan, A Moloney, D Bennett; M Walsh, P Flynn, E Kelly.

MAYO (SF v Roscommon): P Burke; G Ruane, J Nallen, K Mortimer; A Higgins, G Mullins, A Roche; D Heaney, J Gill; T Mortimer, K McDonald, D Sweeney; S Mangan, B Maloney, C Mortimer.