2008 Ulster Minor Club Championship

[amigo]

Ulster minor competition stalled by objection
11 December 2008


The Ulster minor club football championship has ground to a halt following an objection by Cavan Gaels over a Ballinderry player being too young to play in the competition.

The Gaels have objected to the eligibility of 14-year-old Ryan Bell, who was used as a substitute and featured prominently in their 1-9 to 1-11 preliminary round defeat to the Derry champions on December 6.




Rule 134 of the Official Guide of the Association states that a player must be over the age of 14 on January 1 and under 18 years to play in the minor grade of that year. Bell does not turn 15 until New Year's Day, the day the final of the competition is scheduled for.

A profile of each of the players, along with the date of birth, appeared in the match programme.

The official guide states a play can be hit with a two-week suspension for playing underage, though any such move would be unpopular. The objection will be heard by the Ulster Council next Tuesday.

Ballinderry were due to play Tyrone champions Ardboe in the quarter-finals on Saturday, but that game has been postponed is provisionally refixed for Sunday, December 21 at 12 noon.

Ardboe had requested a postponement of the game as their star player Kyle Coney is not due back from Australia until Thursday, but it is doubtful whether that request would have been granted.

[orangeman]

Tony Mc Gee has piece in the Irish News today about the story as well.


He says that the Ulster Council will decide on the issue and not St Pauls.


He also says that Cavan Gaels have created history by lodging an objection to the outcome of the game - the FIRST objection in 28 YEARS of the competition.

[screenexile]

If it's gone to the Ulster Council I would sayit doesn't look good. Did Ballindery get clarification from St. Paul's or the Ulster Council on this issue? I suppose we'll just have to wait until next Tuesday to find out.

[SidelineKick]

Tony Mc Gee has piece in the Irish News today about the story as well.


He says that the Ulster Council will decide on the issue and not St Pauls.


He also says that Cavan Gaels have created history by lodging an objection to the outcome of the game - the FIRST objection in 28 YEARS of the competition.

Quite a sad way to create history 

[mylestheslasher]

I'm no fan of Cavan Gaels (they don't have many fans in Cavan except for their own) but this rule that was broken is to prevent young lads being burned out. In my opinion U16 should not be allowed play minor never mind U14's. The powers that be had to put a rule in place to protect young players from the "win at all costs mentallity" that people are accusing the gaels off. It is also true that ballinderry wanted to win at all costs too, is it not? The GAA can't put in a rule that says a player must be over 14 unless he is built like a tank. Rules like  this need to be respected for the good of the game. Ballinderry acted disgracefully in my opinion by letting this lad play. As for punishment. I think ballinderry should be kicked out and Ardboe allowed proceed to the next round. I don't think that Cavan Gaels should gain from the situation unless there is a replay and they win it.

[orangeman]

I'm no fan of Cavan Gaels (they don't have many fans in Cavan except for their own) but this rule that was broken is to prevent young lads being burned out. In my opinion U16 should not be allowed play minor never mind U14's. The powers that be had to put a rule in place to protect young players from the "win at all costs mentallity" that people are accusing the gaels off. It is also true that ballinderry wanted to win at all costs too, is it not? The GAA can't put in a rule that says a player must be over 14 unless he is built like a tank. Rules like  this need to be respected for the good of the game. Ballinderry acted disgracefully in my opinion by letting this lad play. As for punishment. I think ballinderry should be kicked out and Ardboe allowed proceed to the next round. I don't think that Cavan Gaels should gain from the situation unless there is a replay and they win it.

That would be nice.

[cavan4ever]

I'm no fan of Cavan Gaels (they don't have many fans in Cavan except for their own) but this rule that was broken is to prevent young lads being burned out. In my opinion U16 should not be allowed play minor never mind U14's. The powers that be had to put a rule in place to protect young players from the "win at all costs mentallity" that people are accusing the gaels off. It is also true that ballinderry wanted to win at all costs too, is it not? The GAA can't put in a rule that says a player must be over 14 unless he is built like a tank. Rules like  this need to be respected for the good of the game. Ballinderry acted disgracefully in my opinion by letting this lad play. As for punishment. I think ballinderry should be kicked out and Ardboe allowed proceed to the next round. I don't think that Cavan Gaels should gain from the situation unless there is a replay and they win it.

That would be nice.

If you didn't allow under 16's to play minor there would be alot of clubs unable to field minor teams. I supose if that did happen it would definatly prevent burn out because they would have no games to play.

[mylestheslasher]

C4ever - not true. Clubs can amalgamate. The team gets stronger and then the players in that age bracket get games. Cavan Gaels beat an amalgamated team in this years county final.

[SidelineKick]

Our club has to amalgamate some underage teams and its just not the same for players and supporters alike.  It doesn't feel like your own club to be honest.  Hate having to amalgamate.

[mylestheslasher]

Our club has to amalgamate some underage teams and its just not the same for players and supporters alike.  It doesn't feel like your own club to be honest.  Hate having to amalgamate.

Well thats each clubs choice to make. The alternative is to stick young lads into older age levels to make up a team. We in Cavan should know about this better than any as we have a litany of burned out underage players that were upped through the levels before their time. A rule is needed to stop this happening as clubs cannot be trusted to do the right thing by their young players.

[amigo]

Our club has to amalgamate some underage teams and its just not the same for players and supporters alike.  It doesn't feel like your own club to be honest.  Hate having to amalgamate.

Well thats each clubs choice to make. The alternative is to stick young lads into older age levels to make up a team. We in Cavan should know about this better than any as we have a litany of burned out underage players that were upped through the levels before their time. A rule is needed to stop this happening as clubs cannot be trusted to do the right thing by their young players.

Ballinderry seem to be doing the right thing by theirs all the same. Three Ulster Club finals in 8 years and an All Ireland. They must be doing something right down there !!!

[GerryFromDerry]

I'm no fan of Cavan Gaels (they don't have many fans in Cavan except for their own) but this rule that was broken is to prevent young lads being burned out. In my opinion U16 should not be allowed play minor never mind U14's. The powers that be had to put a rule in place to protect young players from the "win at all costs mentallity" that people are accusing the gaels off. It is also true that ballinderry wanted to win at all costs too, is it not? The GAA can't put in a rule that says a player must be over 14 unless he is built like a tank. Rules like  this need to be respected for the good of the game. Ballinderry acted disgracefully in my opinion by letting this lad play. As for punishment. I think ballinderry should be kicked out and Ardboe allowed proceed to the next round. I don't think that Cavan Gaels should gain from the situation unless there is a replay and they win it.

A bit over the top there dont you think.

I have to laugh at this 'win at all costs mentality'. What mentality does your club use? Just participate and give all the lads a game and win f**k all mentality!

[cavan4ever]

C4ever - not true. Clubs can amalgamate. The team gets stronger and then the players in that age bracket get games. Cavan Gaels beat an amalgamated team in this years county final.

Our club joined with a town team at Minor this year and just about got a team and under 16's still had to play. 

[mylestheslasher]

I'm no fan of Cavan Gaels (they don't have many fans in Cavan except for their own) but this rule that was broken is to prevent young lads being burned out. In my opinion U16 should not be allowed play minor never mind U14's. The powers that be had to put a rule in place to protect young players from the "win at all costs mentallity" that people are accusing the gaels off. It is also true that ballinderry wanted to win at all costs too, is it not? The GAA can't put in a rule that says a player must be over 14 unless he is built like a tank. Rules like  this need to be respected for the good of the game. Ballinderry acted disgracefully in my opinion by letting this lad play. As for punishment. I think ballinderry should be kicked out and Ardboe allowed proceed to the next round. I don't think that Cavan Gaels should gain from the situation unless there is a replay and they win it.

A bit over the top there dont you think.

I have to laugh at this 'win at all costs mentality'. What mentality does your club use? Just participate and give all the lads a game and win f**k all mentality!

I don't think it is over the top. In my view a 14 year old should not be allowed minor. I also believe that clubs should know the rules of the competition. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse. My reference in the "win at all cost mentallity" was in response to those that posted on  this thread accusing the Gaels of a "win at all costs" mentallity. I merely pointed out that Ballinderry obviously had the same attitude if they were going to break the rules to win this game.

[mylestheslasher]

C4ever - not true. Clubs can amalgamate. The team gets stronger and then the players in that age bracket get games. Cavan Gaels beat an amalgamated team in this years county final.

Our club joined with a town team at Minor this year and just about got a team and under 16's still had to play. 

So by that logic if ye had not amalgamated you would have had to play more U16s and maybe a few U14's to make up the numbers? Surely you are making the case for amalgamations there! I am not for amalgamations as standard but I think it should be used when a club cannot field a team at a level with players from the level. For me it is preferable than dipping into the age groups below to make the team.