GAA – DONEGAL GAA
BY MATTHEW WILSON
THE GAA Annual Congress will take place this Friday and Saturday at Croke Park where a total of 25 motions will be debated and voted on by delegates.
There are some big motions amongst this list including Motion 14 which if agreed on would see the All-Ireland Finals pushed back into August.
With regards to this Motion, Donegal are against it as another Motion at the Annual Congress is consequential of this one and it would see the pre-season competitions such as the Dr McKenna Cup come to an end.
On this matter Coughlan expressed, “We discussed this at our County Committee and at our Executive. Although we wouldn’t have a huge problem about pushing it out, there’s another motion where there’s a consequence if it’s passed it would mean the pre-season competition, the McKenna Cup, would be gone.
“On that basis we wouldn’t be voting for it as all of the clubs want the McKenna Cup, as does the team.”
Another big one is Motion 7 which if passed would see the All-Ireland Minor Finals return as the curtain raisers for the All-Ireland Senior Finals.
With regards to Donegal’s say on the matter, they remain undecided and will listen to the arguments that are being put forward at GAA HQ.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Donegal GAA Chairperson Mary Coughlan stated, “A lot of people would like to see the minors back as they wouldn’t necessarily get the opportunity to see them.
“But the dual counties such as Cork and Galway have a reservation as it puts the minor football and hurling out too late and unlike us, they like to get their competition finished before college.”
“The other issue which is out there is, with integration there would be a view in due course that the ladies would precede the men which happened at the Ulster Final and then it might have a consequence for that.”
