Central Council MeetingWestmeath County Board secretary Paddy Collins has received no reaction from the letter he sent to Central Council regarding the validity of the use of earpieces by referees.
The issue arose as a direct result of Westmeath footballer Rory O'Connell's sending off by referee Paddy Russell in the Leinster championship match against Offaly on May 23rd.
Russell, it is believed, did not consult his linesman face-to-face but via their radio link-up, which Collins claims is not legitimate under GAA rules. He believes Central Council has not approved such a device.
O'Connell has since successfully appealed to the High Court against his subsequent 12-week suspension being imposed by the GAC pending the full trial of the action.
O'Connell came on in yesterday's Leinster final and played a significant role. However, Westmeath GAA officials are keen to exonerate the former All-Star midfielder's name.
Collins's letter was read out at Saturday's in-camera Central Council meeting, from which it emerged that a special congress will be held in October to discuss motions arising from the report of the membership committee.
The sub-committee, under the chairmanship of former GAA president Jack Boothman, was established to examine the rules of the association and the club constitution with regard to membership. The sub-committee has recommended that 40 rules be changed or amended. A date was not decided upon but it was agreed that delegations to this congress will be reduced by half.
It was also confirmed the 2005 annual congress will be held in Croke Park on April 15th-16th.
Furthermore, the report of the alcohol and substance abuse task force, launched by association president Seán Kelly and task force chairman Joe Connolly was adopted in principle, while the committee approved the appointment of a full-time officer and the production of a video to highlight the major issues raised by the report.
A free-for-all, involving players, substitutes, mentors and supporters, five minutes from the end of the Limerick senior hurling championship meeting between Pallasgreen and Bruree, is to be investigated by the Limerick County Board.
Pallasgreen were leading 1-9 to 0-9 when the incident occurred, leading referee Declan O'Driscoll to call off the game.
