Players strongly reject 'yellow' rule

GPA STATEMENT:ANY hope the Disciplinary Rules Task Force would still receive the necessary support for their new yellow-card rules at this weekend's GAA Congress looks to have disappeared.

The results of a Gaelic Players Association (GPA) poll released yesterday indicate that 82 per cent of intercounty players are against the continuation of the rules on a permanent basis – and this, they claim, reflects the level of dissatisfaction among the playing body with the way the rules have been applied.

While the GPA don’t have any say at congress, they have also urged county boards to consult with their county squads, if they have not done so already, before deciding which way to vote on the experimental rules – which have been on trial since the start of the season, and sees any player issued with a yellow-card forced to leave the field, but being replaced by a substitute.

Yesterday’s statement from the GPA gave a brief outline of the poll and what they feel it reflects, although it’s unclear what sort of weight it will carry with county board delegates going into congress.

“The GPA has consulted with its members regarding the new rules being applied to football and hurling and the vote for their continuation at GAA Congress next weekend,” the statement read.

“The majority of the respondents (82 per cent) were opposed to the continuation of the rules. In light of this result, we are urging all county boards to consult with their county squads if they have not done so already, before finalising their vote for congress.”

The statement then adds that following the poll, the GPA consulted widely with players to ascertain their reservations regarding the new rules: “Consistency in application was highlighted as the most common problem players had, with the fear of an unwarranted dismissal in a championship game also being raised as a serious concern.

“While the GPA understands the difficulties in addressing disciplinary issues within the games and acknowledges the significant efforts made by administrators in this regard, this poll clearly outlines the level of dissatisfaction among the playing body with the new rules.”

However, the level of support where it matters – among county delegates – could still be enough to secure the necessary two-third majority at congress.

Among the influential counties known to be in favour of the rules on a permanent basis are Cork, Meath, Dublin, Wexford and Mayo.

Among those known to be in the “no” camp are Monaghan, Donegal and Tyrone. Several others are still undecided.

Kilkenny came up with a split vote and left a final decision to their congress delegation; Kerry are to consult with their football manager Jack O’Connor; and Galway, Waterford and Roscommon are set to decide this week, after presentations by the Disciplinary Rules Task Force.

Meanwhile, the GAA yesterday announced details of the results of their five-year collaboration with Gaelic Telecom, which has raised €3.9 million to date for various clubs and schools activities.

The purpose of Gaelic Telecom was to offer GAA supporters savings on their phone bills while raising money for the GAA at grassroots level.

“In five years, to have given back €3.9 million is a testament to the work Gaelic Telecom has carried out with the organisation,” said GAA president Nickey Brennan.

“This has been a fantastic partnership and continues to deliver much needed funding for our clubs and schools. I can only encourage all members and supporters of the organisation to join Gaelic Telecom.”

Gaelic Telecom, which was launched in May 2004, gives 15 per cent of each customer’s call value back to their local GAA club or school.