Tyrone Club Football and Hurling

[fitzroyalty]

Have been reading with interest this situation, think I read about it before on the board somewhere...Anyhow, a sorry mess indeed as two lads are being denied football, and even though the father is probably mostly to blame, two lads are suffering as a result..therefore I think Aghaloo have to shoulder some responsibility. Rural clubs struggle but I think its a bit sour on their part for denying the lads their football, either way they're not going to play for them. Speaking from experience, lads I know in N.Armagh have transferred (from big club to small & vice versa) and the trend tends to be that eventually they are granted their wish without too much hassle. One case that sticks out is where a lad who had moved house to another parish away from his club wished to transfer to the club in his new village. His old club wouldn't let him even though he wasn't in their parish anymore. He ended up going before the county board with representatives from both clubs motioning who should get him. Unfortunate that a player should go through that, this case dragged on for a year until the countyboard eventually granted him permission to play for his new club. Not surprisingly original clubs are reluctant to let go of players but in most cases the players wishes should be addressed and if there are grounds for a legitimate transfer this should not be impeded.

[orangeman]

Common sense should prevail and maybe there's a wee bit more to it than we're being told.


Most clubs realise that there's not much point holding on to lads who simply don't want to play. But rules are rules.

[orangeman]

I must say I had a wee smile when I read this bit :


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. 


Small club

[orangeman]

Mc Menamin is to appeal his ban  - any thoughts ?

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Think he's just opposing the length of the ban as opposed to the ban it self. I think its fair enough, 4 weeks would have been plenty.

[orangeman]

Think he's just opposing the length of the ban as opposed to the ban it self. I think its fair enough, 4 weeks would have been plenty.

Can it be increased as well as decreased ?

[tyronefan]

6 weeks would mean he will only have one league game before the championship which leaves him short of match time before the Armagh match
If he can get it reduced to 4 weeks (which would be a fairer penalty imo ) at least he would have a few matchs in the league

[orangeman]

6 weeks would mean he will only have one league game before the championship which leaves him short of match time before the Armagh match
If he can get it reduced to 4 weeks (which would be a fairer penalty imo ) at least he would have a few matchs in the league

Croke Park might not see it that way.

[David McKeown]

Father's internet appeal for 'fair play'
Frustration leads to petition after teenage sons spend five years in the GAA wilderness as transfer saga rumbles on

Monday February 23 2009

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

Certainly wouldnt recommend the DRA route even if it was affordable as they have ruled on similar matters in the past and going on those decisions would likely come down against Dungannon.  TBH I fully support the boys case, they should be free to transfer to whoever they like.  I know theres an argument against it in so far as it could lead to a stealing of the best players from smaller clubs but Id still feel the interests of fairness to the players involved once a seasons over, any player should be free to transfer for any reason they see fit.

[orangeman]

Literally "any" reason ? Surely there has to be rules governing transfers ?

[tyronefan]

6 weeks would mean he will only have one league game before the championship which leaves him short of match time before the Armagh match
If he can get it reduced to 4 weeks (which would be a fairer penalty imo ) at least he would have a few matchs in the league

Croke Park might not see it that way.

heres hoping

[Norf Tyrone]

Certainly wouldnt recommend the DRA route even if it was affordable as they have ruled on similar matters in the past and going on those decisions would likely come down against Dungannon.  TBH I fully support the boys case, they should be free to transfer to whoever they like.  I know theres an argument against it in so far as it could lead to a stealing of the best players from smaller clubs but Id still feel the interests of fairness to the players involved once a seasons over, any player should be free to transfer for any reason they see fit.

[/quote]

Surely this the framework for the parochial nature of the game, the fact that people cannot transfer willinilli. What would happen if at the end of a season 6 or 7 players came and said oh by the way I am transfering to another club next year, good bye?
Especially in rural areas it would be a severe nail in a coffin for their existance.

[orangeman]

Certainly wouldnt recommend the DRA route even if it was affordable as they have ruled on similar matters in the past and going on those decisions would likely come down against Dungannon.  TBH I fully support the boys case, they should be free to transfer to whoever they like.  I know theres an argument against it in so far as it could lead to a stealing of the best players from smaller clubs but Id still feel the interests of fairness to the players involved once a seasons over, any player should be free to transfer for any reason they see fit.

Surely this the framework for the parochial nature of the game, the fact that people cannot transfer willinilli. What would happen if at the end of a season 6 or 7 players came and said oh by the way I am transfering to another club next year, good bye?
Especially in rural areas it would be a severe nail in a coffin for their existance.
[/quote]



One word : ANARCHY

[Gaffer]

Getting off the current subject. Can anyone name any fathers and sons who have both won an Ulster Senior Football Championship with Tyrone.

Came up in a pub discussion at the weekend.

Frank and Brian McGuigan are the first that come to mind.

[imtommygunn]

Could be well of the mark here...

Mickey and Mark Harte? (no sure if Mickey won one though)