The group opposed to the players' awards scheme has taken issue with the GAA's undertakings to debate the matter at next April's congress. Mark Conway of the Of One Belief group yesterday criticised the timeframe allocated for discussing the issue.
A circular released yesterday quoted GAA president Nickey Brennan's comments on the issue at Saturday's National Club Forum:
"The awards proposals will be published by mid-March; they will be circulated freely within the GAA and beyond; there will be full consultation prior to congress and will be debated openly, honestly and fully."
The group took issue with the president's timetable, saying that it leaves too little time to discuss the matter fully.
"If 'mid-March' is Friday, March 14th," runs the statement, "that effectively leaves just three weeks maximum for a 'full consultation' prior to congress. That compares very poorly with the time given to debate issues such as player burnout; the hurling championships; and, of course, things like Rule 21 and the opening up of Croke Park."
The fact that the proposals will be taken at congress represents a victory for Of One Belief, as the original intention was not to present them there given that they don't involve a rule change - a position disputed by the scheme's objectors.
According to yesterday's circular the group's campaign will continue if the motion tabled for congress doesn't seek to change Rule 11, governing amateur status, which it believes the awards scheme infringes.
"Our task remains the same, to get this issue debated and then rejected in such a way that it never comes back on to the GAA table again. And we're still of the view that any proposal to give money to GAA people, players or otherwise, requires a change to Rule 11.
"No doubt Central Council's motion will seek such a change. If it doesn't . . . we'll be back!"
Meanwhile, former All Star Ollie Canning says he will not consider a return to the Galway squad until after Portumna's involvement in the All-Ireland club championship.
Portumna, All-Ireland champions two years ago, take on Loughmore-Castleiney in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday week and the 32-year-old says that is his only consideration at the moment. Ger Loughnane made a SOS call to Canning when speaking to reporters after Sunday's win over Clare, after their suspect defence saw a 14-point lead whittled to four.
The Galway boss said Canning was the sort of "cute hurler" they needed in the full-back line. Later on local radio he expanded on the notion of getting Canning back.
"We played Portumna in a challenge match and Ollie was the man-of-the-match. He ran the show. He still has a lot to offer at this level. We won't go near him while Portumna are still going but we will have to look at the situation after that."
Canning - whose younger brother Joe is finally due to link up with the Galway squad later in the league - has not ruled out a return but for now wants nothing to distract from Portumna's All-Ireland club bid.
"I was contacted on Sunday evening by a reporter concerning remarks made by Ger Loughnane in the immediate aftermath of the game about the possibility of me returning to the Galway squad.
"I'm not sure what exactly was said but needless to say, my only concern at the moment is the All-Ireland club semi-final on February 24th and I'm not looking beyond that," said Canning.
Galway captain Kieran Fitzgerald has been ruled out of Sunday's National Football League encounter with Kildare at Newbridge.
The former All Star suffered a leg injury in the opening-day 0-15 to 1-9 win over Laois and may be out for a few weeks. "He is seeing a specialist and we will see what the best course of action is but it could take a few weeks," said manager Liam Sammon.
