Rathkenny win out in 17-team SFC proposal
Wednesday February 24 2010
RATHKENNY will ply their trade in the Meath SFC for another season at least, after delegates supported a motion from the club that 17 teams be allowed compete in the grade in 2010, at a meeting dealing with club championship structures on Monday night.
The decision brings to an end the relegation debacle that existed following the 2009 championship after Rathkenny defeated Walterstown in a relegation semi-final and were then ordered to replay the match because extra time should not have been played.
When they refused to fulfil the refixture they were subsequently relegated to intermediate ranks and then failed to have that decision overturned in appeals to various bodies.
Club chairman Edmund Curtis in moving the motion said his club had done nothing wrong and appealed for delegates to support the motion. The motion was seconded by John Daly ( Walterstown).
Sean Mahon (Seneschalstown) proposed an amendment as he said his club was concerned about setting a precedent, but could find no seconder.
Duleek/Bellewstown delegate Oliver Cudden queried if the county committee was in order to make such a decision while Leinster Council delegate Brendan Dempsey said that rules and regulations concerning the championship could only be dealt with on an annual basis and they had already been dealt with in January.
Mr Dempsey also expressed concern that clubs had not enough time to discuss motions before them. 'My information from Croke Park is that we are on a very 'sticky wicket' if we pass this motion tonight,' the Trim man said.
Brendan Cummins suggested that any decision should be conveyed to Croke Park to make sure it was watertight to prevent difficulties arising in the future.
County chairman Barney Allen said regulations could be changed at any stage by the county committee. 'It is watertight,' he said.
The motion to allow 17 teams compete in the SFC was eventually passed without a vote.
Another motion from Clan na nGael that sought to bring the number of teams competing in the SFC up to 18 by 2011 was defeated.
Transfer
THE transfer of Daragh Smyth from Bective to Navan O'Mahonys, which had been granted by the Meath transfer committee, was overturned at Monday night's county committee meeting in Navan.
The proposed move of the former Meath minor, who is now a member of the under-21 squad, was rejected by 30-18. A large number of delegates abstained from the vote.
- Sean WALL
