Internet petition by Father

[Zulu]

I can't see this anywhere else but the case below reflects very badly on the GAA and follows on a similar case in Kildare a year or two ago, now maybe there is more to this than meets the eye but if young lads really want to transfer then they should be allowed to do so. Certainly dragging this out for 5 years is pure nonsense and serves no purpose. Anyway here's the article from today's independent..........


Frustration leads to petition after teenage sons spend five years in the GAA wilderness as transfer saga rumbles on

A father's frustration with the GAA has led him to launch an internet petition seeking freedom for his sons to play for the club of their choice.

Aidan McKillion says his sons, Jarlath (16) and Aidan (18), are being kept out of Gaelic games by the intransigence of the Aghaloo O'Neill's club based near Aughnacloy, County Tyrone.

Aghaloo won't grant a transfer for the boys to play with their father's club of origin, Thomas Clarke's GFC of Dungannon (which is approximately 12 miles away), and the issue has been going on for five years.

Now the McKillions play soccer with Armagh City FC in the Mid-Ulster League, and are out of the GAA.

Aidan McKillion senior decided to make a last attempt to break the deadlock by launching an internet petition aimed at every club or GAA unit in the world for which he could find an email address.

intervene

He also called on GAA President Nickey Brennan to intervene, but Brennan has said he cannot interfere with the internal workings of a county.

Brennan recommended that McKillion senior should drop his petition immediately, saying it would not achieve the aim of having the boys play for the Dungannon club.

The club involved, Aghaloo, contend that they have offered the boys the chance to play Gaelic football, and that as they reside in the local parish, Aghaloo is their home club.

They also say they have dealt with the matter according to the rules of the GAA and taken it through the proper channels.

It's a bizarre and emotive situation, but the central fact remains: the McKillion boys want to play Gaelic football for Dungannon. They do not want to play for Aghaloo.

In fact, the major part of the Gaelic football they played has been in Dungannon, as a photo of Jarlath with Tyrone great Peter Canavan from an U-12 summer league proves.

So what's the point of driving them away from Gaelic games and into soccer?

Aghaloo officials have not made any further comment on the matter, but it must be said that, according to the GAA Official Guide and Tyrone bye-laws on transfers, Aghaloo is the McKillions home club, as the family reside within that parish.

An Aghaloo agreement to a transfer would bring the issue to an end and allow the boys back on the GAA playing fields.

It should be noted that between 2004 and 2008, Tyrone County Board acceded to 150 transfer requests between clubs, so movement by players in the county is not unusual.

In the email petition that McKillion senior sent out recently he says:

"A chairde, I am a Tyrone Gael reaching out to fellow Gaels worldwide, requesting your help.

"I am working on a petition on behalf of my two sons, Jarlath and Aidan McKillion.

"Please note that I will not go into what I perceive to be the injustices of this case nor my personal opinions or views, tempted though I may be.

"Just the facts. My sons and I are working on this alone and independently and are contacting every GAA club possible across the globe. So, to the bare facts.

"Aidan and Jarlath played very briefly with AGHALOO GFC, Jarlath at u-12 and Aidan at u-14 though they never registered with that club.

"They preferred to go to their father's THOMAS CLARKE GFC, where they played and did register as players and club members.

"But unfortunately AGHALOO vigorously contested this, with the result that these children were denied participation in the sport they love for the past FIVE YEARS approximately.

"Apparently, for reasons unknown, this situation can only be rectified by AGHALOO granting them a transfer which they have persistently refused to do .

"If these children are guilty of any wrongdoing then this punishment is harsh .

"I am absolutely not asking you to decide who is innocent or guilty in this case.

"I am just asking if you believe that 5 years is ENOUGH punishment for these children.

"If you do then simply text the word ENOUGH to tmckillion@btinternet. com.

"If we can get ENOUGH voices then collectively we may be heard.

"We believe we may be setting a precedent with this campaign and that if successful, it may create a template, a forum, to help other children in similar circumstances.

"It may also dissuade other clubs from controlling and/or restricting children's rights of access to their heritage and culture.

"GAA HQ informed me that unfortunately, individual club practices on matters such as this are not within HQ's remit.

"Perhaps if this campaign gathers enough weight, it may prompt new legislation, thus enabling the further protection of the rights of children within our great organisation.

"Given the problems facing the youth of today, with alcohol and substance abuse prevalent in our society, it is more important than ever that we Gaels encourage the participation of our children in our national games.

"Other sporting bodies and organisations have offered both encouragement and support with our campaign and we thank them for that.

"But initially, for now, we prefer to stay within the GAA community, amongst our own people .

"A final word. In addition to emailing ENOUGH to tmckillion@btinternet.com we would warmly welcome and appreciate any suggestions, advice or help in any way with our campaign.

"Also could you please pass this petition on to all other Gaels you know.

"Is mise le meas, Aidan T McKillion."

smashing

Thomas Clarkes secretary Cathal Skeffington said: "The two young lads are smashing footballers but this is an ongoing situation.

"We would have a fairly good relationship with Aghaloo. I know they are a small rural club and they're fighting to get players and keep players, but we are not a massive club either.

"Boys come and boys go all the time in our club, and if a lad wants to transfer and leave us, then our policy is to let them go.

"We've gone a long way with this, but we can't afford the cost of taking it to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

"We appreciate that their home is in Aghaloo, but they go to school in Dungannon, their cousins are members of our club, and they regularly stay with their granny in Dungannon.

"All their father is doing is trying to get his boys football," he said.

The last time the boys played with Thomas Clarkes was two years ago, which caused problems.

Aidan was included in the Dungannon club's U-16 team which reached a final but a protest by the Strabane club resulted in the Clarkes being disqualified.

The McKillions felt they could not let anything like that happen again, and left the club, later taking up soccer.

McKillion senior added: "These two lads have suffered untold psychological anguish and despair due to this case, for almost a third of their young existences.

abandoned

"This has obviously had a detrimental effect on their sporting, social and academic lives. They feel totally abandoned and let down by the powers that be within the GAA.

"Furthermore, to president Brennan, who as recently as February 6, 2009, stated in a written correspondence to us that we will not achieve our aim and that he in fact strongly recommends we cease our petition immediately, (his own words), we respectfully say no.

"We will not stop until what we perceive to be the inhumane treatment of two young GAA players is brought to a just conclusion.

"We believe that all Gaels and, indeed, all sporting people should be made aware of what is happening to two lads who just want to participate in their national amateur sport."

- Liam Kelly

[orangeman]

It's been discussed previously on the Tyrone section.

[Zulu]

Fair enough but this is an issue for the GAA nationally (club transfers I mean, not necessarily this particular case) and it's high time this was tackled, preventing young lads from not playing for 5 years just isn't on.

[orangeman]

Fair enough but this is an issue for the GAA nationally (club transfers I mean, not necessarily this particular case) and it's high time this was tackled, preventing young lads from not playing for 5 years just isn't on.

As always Zulu, this is not as simple as it seems.


Dungannon is massive - Aghaloo is tiny and might not even have 15 at every youth grade - the lads in question don't live in Dungannon.

This issue has been thrashed out, up and down, left, right and centre and it may be that there's more to this than meets the eye.

Youth transfers are usually dealt with very amicably. This one hasn't been.

[David McKeown]

Fair enough but this is an issue for the GAA nationally (club transfers I mean, not necessarily this particular case) and it's high time this was tackled, preventing young lads from not playing for 5 years just isn't on.

As always Zulu, this is not as simple as it seems.


Dungannon is massive - Aghaloo is tiny and might not even have 15 at every youth grade - the lads in question don't live in Dungannon.

This issue has been thrashed out, up and down, left, right and centre and it may be that there's more to this than meets the eye.

Youth transfers are usually dealt with very amicably. This one hasn't been.

Id say your undoubtedly right Orangeman but on a more general issue Id pretty much always support the players in this regard.  I know theres an argument against it to prevent player stealing but I feel once a seasons over, players should be allowed move club if they want.

[orangeman]

I like you really feel for the lads who are losing out. But it is fairly rare that transfers are challenged or not granted as clubs reckon there's no point holding lads who won't play.

But this case has been tested inside and out. Dungannon won an under title but the losing finalists Strabane objected and Dungannon lost out. It's bad when it gets to this stage. The Dungannon lads didn't do anything wrong but lost their medals as a result.

I can see all sides of the argument - but Dungannon is a big club - massive population, a hell of a pick compared to Aghaloo who would have really small numbers.  Dungannon historically would have been winning grade one underage titles almost year in year out. Aghaloo would have been doing their best to keep the club going.

[David McKeown]

I like you really feel for the lads who are losing out. But it is fairly rare that transfers are challenged or not granted as clubs reckon there's no point holding lads who won't play.

But this case has been tested inside and out. Dungannon won an under title but the losing finalists Strabane objected and Dungannon lost out. It's bad when it gets to this stage. The Dungannon lads didn't do anything wrong but lost their medals as a result.

I can see all sides of the argument - but Dungannon is a big club - massive population, a hell of a pick compared to Aghaloo who would have really small numbers.  Dungannon historically would have been winning grade one underage titles almost year in year out. Aghaloo would have been doing their best to keep the club going.

Oh I also see both sides of the argument but I feel the relative sizes of the clubs involved shouldnt be considered, players should be free in my opinion to choose which club they want to be a member of.

[pintsofguinness]

I'm sorry but that's bullshit from the father.

"Aidan and Jarlath played very briefly with AGHALOO GFC, Jarlath at u-12 and Aidan at u-14 though they never registered with that club.

Why haven't they played with Dungannon all their lives if it's their father's club?  These boys have played for aghaloo and then wanted to move to dungannon, sorry, that's not the way the GAA works and he should knwo that if he's such a "gael". 

david

Oh I also see both sides of the argument but I feel the relative sizes of the clubs involved shouldnt be considered, players should be free in my opinion to choose which club they want to be a member of.

How many years do you think your club would survive if that rule was in place?

[orangeman]

You can't have players jumping all over the place either can you for any nebulous reason ?

[armaghniac]

These people are not being kept out of Gaelic games, their local club would be happy to have them. The club unit is the whole point of the GAA, otherwise you'll have ambitious parents deciding that their little Johnny would do better in some bigger club in the the area and the whole GAA concept is out the window. This guy has no interest in the GAA he is simply trying to score points and not the sort where you kick the ball over the bar.

[Estimator]

Aidan McKillion says his sons, Jarlath (16) and Aidan (18), are being kept out of Gaelic games by the intransigence of the Aghaloo O'Neill's club based near Aughnacloy, County Tyrone.

I think that Aghaloo would like them to play gaelic football, rather than it being the clubs fault for not playing!

"Perhaps if this campaign gathers enough weight, it may prompt new legislation, thus enabling the further protection of the rights of children within our great organisation.

"Given the problems facing the youth of today, with alcohol and substance abuse prevalent in our society, it is more important than ever that we Gaels encourage the participation of our children in our national games.

Is that the right of the child to jump ship to a better club, so to speak, if they know that they have a better chance of winning titles elsewhere.
The father should be encouraging his children to participate in gaelic games with Aghaloo.

McKillion senior added: "These two lads have suffered untold psychological anguish and despair due to this case, for almost a third of their young existences.

abandoned.

"This has obviously had a detrimental effect on their sporting, social and academic lives. They feel totally abandoned and let down by the powers that be within the GAA.

Can someone explain this to me? Just because they can't play football for one club they have been damaged psychologically?
Their social, sporting and academic lives have been affected due to not playing football, surely they would have more time to study and socialise if they are not out playing football!

[orangeman]

This was an earlier post of mine on the Tyrone board.



Whether it's the father's fault or whoever's fault it is, it's a sorry mess. Personally I feel he's bringing even further attention to the 2 lads. But maybe if I was him, I'd do the same thing. It's hard to know, but usually these things are dealt with diplomatically and quietly by the clubs without having to go to these lengths.

[under the bar]

These boys have played for aghaloo and then wanted to move to dungannon, sorry, that's not the way the GAA works and he should knwo that if he's such a "gael".

How come anyone who can spell 'diesel' can play for Crossmaglen then?

[leenie]

there is two sides to every story.........

i see no point in this petition nor do i  see it being fair the aghaloo club!

[muppet]

There are those who will insist on imposing their will on individuals, for the greater good of course.

Throughout the Gaa this type of event is not a problem but a few small minds who try to screw it up for someone can end up screwing it up for everyone.

Willy nilly transfers would be bad for the Gaa and I understand the need to pretect from this, but 5 years preventing kids from playing is way OTT.

All the parties involved are bringing the Gaa into disrepute but IMHO the club should let go.

Pints you argue "sorry, that's not the way the GAA works and he should knwo that if he's such a "gael". ".
I suspect he is a father first and a 'Gael' second.