The GAA is obliged to undertake an online voting this evening due to an irregularity during today’s Central Council voting on the re-establishment of pre-league competitions. A suggestion to repeal Central Council’s previous decision in September to call off the January competitions was insufficient, falling short of the 60% requirement by a margin of three votes during Saturday’s session.
Nevertheless, a number of Central Council members chose not to vote, and later during the meeting, a potential problem with the 60% threshold calculation was brought up. An electronically enabled vote is now being organised, set to conclude at 8pm.
The notion to abandon the preseason competitions led to the emergency online vote by GAA. Following the contentious departure of Mickey Graham, Steven Poacher was appointed manager for Leitrim. There are ongoing clashes in Dublin between Kilmacud and Na Fianna, and in Kerry between Dr Crokes and Dingle.
Leading voices for the reversal on cancelling the January provincial competitions include counties Cavan and Wicklow. Ulster Council, expressing their support for the continuation of the January games, hosted a remote meeting on Thursday with their counties to deliberate on a plan of action.
Yet, the Gaelic Players’ Association firmly opposes any retreat from the decision made last month. The GPA maintains that the resumption of the McKenna Cup, FBD League, McGrath Cup, and O’Byrne Cup could lead to implications for player welfare due to the prospects of an early recommencement to team training.
Meanwhile, Central Council has endorsed the Football Review Committee’s proposed changes for Gaelic football for discussion at the Special Congress, scheduled for November 30th. The new rules proposed by FRC – four points for a goal and two points for a 45 – were revised back to the erstwhile three points and one point, respectively. The Special Congress delegates will decide next month whether to implement the regulations for a test run season in 2025.