We reported last week that North Longford club Dromard were fined €2,000 - it was originally €3,000 but was reduced on appeal - for the heinous crime of hosting a Jamie Carragher soccer school on their grounds.
The infraction in question relates to Rule. 5.1.
All property including grounds, Club Houses, Halls, Dressing Rooms and Handball Alleys owned or controlled by units of the Association shall be used only for the purpose of or in connection with the playing of the Games controlled by the Association, and for such other purposes not in conflict with the Aims and Objects of the Association, that may be sanctioned from time to time by the Central Council.
The GAA's high handed move has riled the soccer team who were helped out by the boys in Dromard and they have lambasted the GAA in a statement provided to the Longford Leader.
Ireland's sporting ecumenism being what it is, the club noted that most of the players also play GAA with their local clubs around Longford, Leitrim and Cavan.
UCL incidentally stands for 'Ulster, Connacht, Leinster'.
UCL Harps would like to express their disappointment at the €2000 fine imposed on Dromard GAA.
This is especially disappointing as the majority of UCL players also play GAA with their local clubs, with some playing underage at county level for Longford, Leitrim and Cavan.
The 23 Foundation founded by Jamie Carragher is a charitable organisation to help raise much needed funds for deprived children.
The Soccer School was an overwhelming success, with children of many abilities from all over Ireland taking part, and none of this would have been possible without the support and help of Dromard GAA club.”
In 1991, a hurling pitch in Galway held a European Cup Winners Cup match. Galway United played Odense in Ballinderreen's hurling pitch (Noel Lane's club). Crucially, as club chairman Michael Kelly told us, the pitch wasn't vested in the GAA so the association had no power to censure the club on that occasion. Read about that event here.
Read more: Balls Remembers The Time A Small GAA Ground Held A European Cup Winners Cup Match...
