London prevented from coming to Ireland to play friendlies

BennyHarp · May 07, 2013, 02:55:56 PM

This is a crazy decision and a mad interpretation of the rule about not allowing training weekends abroad after the league finishes - I didnt even know the rule existed!

Football ISN'T coming home
07 May 2013

The GAA has refused London permission to come to Ireland and play two SF challenges.

The Exiles wanted to play the two matches next weekend - against Wicklow on Saturday and Louth on Sunday - as part of preparations for their May 26th Connacht SFC opener against Sligo.

However, the GAA has refused to sanction the friendlies due to a technicality, even though all the arrangements were already in place for the trip.

Rule 12.6, which was introduced to stop county teams from going abroad to warm-weather training camps in the build-up to the championship, forbids intercounty panels from participating in "training weekends, or training of longer duration, after the end of their respective national leagues, except during the 13 days prior to a senior championship game."

Ironically, this rule is now being used to block London from coming home to play.

"It is not like we are going abroad or anything," London manager Paul Coggins states in The Irish Independent.

"We are actually going 'home' and only because that is the only way we can get the sort of quality of competition that we need so badly to prepare for the Connacht championship."

Syferus · May 07, 2013, 03:09:12 PM

Daftest shite I've ever heard.

mayogodhelpus@gmail.com · May 07, 2013, 03:11:05 PM

Quote from: BennyHarp on May 07, 2013, 02:55:56 PM
This is a crazy decision and a mad interpretation of the rule about not allowing training weekends abroad after the league finishes - I didnt even know the rule existed!

Football ISN'T coming home
07 May 2013

The GAA has refused London permission to come to Ireland and play two SF challenges.

The Exiles wanted to play the two matches next weekend - against Wicklow on Saturday and Louth on Sunday - as part of preparations for their May 26th Connacht SFC opener against Sligo.

However, the GAA has refused to sanction the friendlies due to a technicality, even though all the arrangements were already in place for the trip.

Rule 12.6, which was introduced to stop county teams from going abroad to warm-weather training camps in the build-up to the championship, forbids intercounty panels from participating in "training weekends, or training of longer duration, after the end of their respective national leagues, except during the 13 days prior to a senior championship game."

Ironically, this rule is now being used to block London from coming home to play.

"It is not like we are going abroad or anything," London manager Paul Coggins states in The Irish Independent.

"We are actually going 'home' and only because that is the only way we can get the sort of quality of competition that we need so badly to prepare for the Connacht championship."

For championship reasons London is part of Connacht => their interpretation is wrong. If they are going to go by the same flawed logic [and before anyone jumps to the wrong conclusion - going one side of the Irish border to the other is not going abroad] going by "TECHNICALITY" Cavan v Fermanagh challenge game could be as wrongly interpreted as going abroad (Again before someone shouts partitionist, I am NOT saying it is abroad)

blanketattack · May 07, 2013, 03:26:57 PM

Presumably it's only to the Republic of Ireland that they're banned from playing friendlies in?
They could play challenge games in Northern Ireland couldn't they and not necessarily against one of the 6 counties?

All of a Sludden · May 07, 2013, 03:27:14 PM

Louth were allowed to travel to the UK recently for a challenge game with Armagh.

Bingo · May 07, 2013, 03:43:34 PM

Everyone now and again one of these stories come out and it brings disbelief and embarrassment to the game.

Not withstanding the rule itself but its application in this case is beyond the pale.

rosnarun · May 07, 2013, 03:54:39 PM

this is another example of why a 'nod and a wink' is the best form of Government

dec · May 07, 2013, 03:56:19 PM

It has nothing to do with "foreign" travel.

"training weekends, or training of longer duration, after the end of their respective national leagues, except during the 13 days prior to a senior championship game."

It is because it is a training weekend (Saturday and Sunday)

BennyHarp · May 07, 2013, 03:59:38 PM

Quote from: dec on May 07, 2013, 03:56:19 PM
It has nothing to do with "foreign" travel.

"training weekends, or training of longer duration, after the end of their respective national leagues, except during the 13 days prior to a senior championship game."

It is because it is a training weekend (Saturday and Sunday)

It's the only way they can get a challenge game! What do you suggest they do?

If Tyrone travelled to Galway and played them on a Saturday evening, stayed over night then played Sligo on the way home on Sunday, would that not be allowed? Or even just played Louth on the Saturday, went home and played Leitrim on the Sunday? Would that be allowed?

dec · May 07, 2013, 04:20:06 PM

Quote from: BennyHarp on May 07, 2013, 03:59:38 PM
Quote from: dec on May 07, 2013, 03:56:19 PM
It has nothing to do with "foreign" travel.

"training weekends, or training of longer duration, after the end of their respective national leagues, except during the 13 days prior to a senior championship game."

It is because it is a training weekend (Saturday and Sunday)

It's the only way they can get a challenge game! What do you suggest they do?

If Tyrone travelled to Galway and played them on a Saturday evening, stayed over night then played Sligo on the way home on Sunday, would that not be allowed? Or even just played Louth on the Saturday, went home and played Leitrim on the Sunday? Would that be allowed?

If the 12.6 quote is accurate then I think those examples would fall foul of it. I don't know if that is ever enforced.

Here is the wording from the version of the Official guide which is online. It is not labeled 12.6. I don't know if there is a more up to date version.
http://www.gaa.ie/content/documents/publications/official_guides/Official_Guide_2012_Part1.pdf

6.21 Inter-County Players Availability to Clubs
(a) The period of time during which Senior Inter-
County Players shall not be expected to fulfil Inter-
Club Championship Fixtures prior to Inter-County
Championship Games, in the same Code, shall be as
follows:
Senior Inter-County Championships:
(1) All-Ireland Finals - maximum 20 days.
(2) All other Games - maximum 13 days.
All other Grades of Championship, including All-
Ireland Minor and Under 21 Finals - maximum 7
days.
A County Bye Law may specify a lesser period in
each case.
(b) Senior Inter-County Panels shall not be permitted
to go on Training Weekends, or training of longer
duration, after the Final of their respective National
League having been played, except during the 13
days period prior to a Senior Championship Game,
or during the 20 days prior to an All-Ireland Senior
Final.

armaghniac · May 07, 2013, 04:29:38 PM

Why should London be treated differently from anyone else? If they reckon abroad is different then let them not play in the All Ireland championship. New York and London are a cause of immense hassle to the championship and are no benefit whatsoever.

deiseach · May 07, 2013, 04:30:26 PM

I'd imagine the rule was not meant to ensnare London in this manner, but once it's there they have to apply it or you'll have counties saying "if London can have a training weekend, why not us?"

armaghniac · May 07, 2013, 04:43:16 PM

QuoteI'd imagine the rule was not meant to ensnare London in this manner, but once it's there they have to apply it or you'll have counties saying "if London can have a training weekend, why not us?"

For instance it might suit Antrim hurlers to play a game against Clare, stay overnight and play Limerick.

Syferus · May 07, 2013, 04:45:29 PM

Quote from: armaghniac on May 07, 2013, 04:29:38 PM
Why should London be treated differently from anyone else? If they reckon abroad is different then let them not play in the All Ireland championship. New York and London are a cause of immense hassle to the championship and are no benefit whatsoever.

Arrah, let's go the full hog and take out the passengers and just let the 26 counties play the championship. I'm sure we can convince Kilkenny to take the big ball up again.

Bejaysus, buck - perspective, please.

From the Bunker · May 07, 2013, 04:52:28 PM

[

Quote from: Syferus on May 07, 2013, 04:45:29 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on May 07, 2013, 04:29:38 PM
Why should London be treated differently from anyone else? If they reckon abroad is different then let them not play in the All Ireland championship. New York and London are a cause of immense hassle to the championship and are no benefit whatsoever.

Arrah, let's go the full hog and take out the passengers and just let the 26 counties play the championship. I'm sure we can convince Kilkenny to take the big ball up again.

Bejaysus, buck - perspective, please.

Ah we are in a recession where allot of our people are in the UK and USA. Many look forward to the visiting Mayo/Galway/Roscommon/Leitrim/Sligo teams each year. It's a connection for the Irish abroad. A chance for a good footballer who has emigrated to play in the Championship. A day out. Allot take pride in their new found habitat.