Lucan girls to use BB

THE FÉILE Committee and Camogie Association have reached an agreement with Lucan Sarsfields on the use of host families ahead of the national Féile under-14 competition this weekend in Freshford, Co Kilkenny.

The Dublin club raised concerns about the vetting of host families and the insistence all their players must stay in the homes provided. A compromise has been reached whereby some players will stay in a bed-and-breakfast.

But Liz Howard, president of Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael, has denied claims by the Dublin camogie chairman, Brendan Cooper, that the national body had given Sarsfields a "10-minute ultimatum" to accept guidelines.

"There has been a huge emphasis to adhere to the code of ethics and good practice set down by the Irish Sports Council," said Howard. "We will remain relentless in this regard. We cannot say every home is visited but there must be an element of trust in the community and the local club. When we talk about vetting there has to be trust in local committees.

"There was a time-frame with regards to Féile entry. We asked Lucan to come back with a solution by 12 (noon) yesterday (Tuesday). It was not the case of an ultimatum. If all the clubs involved refused host families then there would be an issue."

Cooper said: "Unfortunately, the society we live in requires vetting and the central Garda unit in Thurles can do this.

"Accountability is all we are seeking. Parents just want valued assurances that everything that can be done will be done."