GAA PRESIDENT Nickey Brennan has expressed his concern at the current eligibility controversy in third-level colleges' competitions and warned that Central Council may have to intervene to restrict entry to the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups.
This year's Sigerson weekend had to be called off because of challenges to the status of players on the Garda College team, who were expelled from the Sigerson before being reinstated by a controversial decision of Croke Park's Central Appeals Committee.
At present, the issue is due for a determination by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA). Although anxious to allow that decision to emerge, Brennan reacted generally to the problem of eligibility.
"Firstly, we'll be letting the current situation go through due process. I was very hopeful after the development of the new (Comhairle Árdoideachais - the higher education authority) constitution that they had got things sorted, but it seems that for every step forward there's two backwards. The CA was very clear as to their meaning but, as we know, another Croke Park committee disagreed.
"In one way, I'm happy to see this go to the DRA so that we can get a definitive interpretation."
Croke Park officials were unhappy with the postponement of the Sigerson weekend, which largely wasted Carlow IT's organising work and caused embarrassment to the association at large.
"If this question of eligibility isn't resolved, Central Council may have to take a direct role," according to Brennan. "I'm very sorry for the CAO officers because I've worked with them in the past and know the how much effort goes into it."
Might any such intervention include restricting colleges with complicated eligibility regulations from entering competitions?
"That may very well be. Our education system has changed a lot and you're balancing eligibility for competitions with eligibility for courses.
"I only see our involvement if this remains an ongoing problem. But when a major competition like the Sigerson has to be postponed it loses its slot in the calendar and has to be re-scheduled. When it starts to affect the games calendar it becomes everyone's business."
Nonetheless, Brennan remains enthusiastic about the role played by the third-level colleges within the GAA.
"From a GAA perspective, if our sports are getting bursaries that means we are competing on the same level as other sports, which are, of course, professional. The involvement raises the profile of the games and the GAA clubs have a strong presence in the colleges.
"Young players get involved, but others get involved in administration.
"But as well as that, colleges have incredible facilities - all weather pitches, floodlights and gymnasiums - which are a big help to intercounty players."
