DUBLIN CLUB ROW: St Brigid's GAA club have criticised GAA president Seán Kelly for comments attributed to him in the media yesterday relating to the ongoing Mark Vaughan eligibility case, reports Gavin Cummiskey.
elly was reported as saying the original Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) decision to allow Vaughan play for Kilmacud Crokes in last May's Dublin club championship encounter should be upheld. However, St Brigid's chairman Ronan Barrett released a statement last night stating the club were "very surprised" by such comments ahead of another DRA meeting on the matter.
"As he says, the DRA effectively are a court of law," read the statement "Why is he attempting to influence an issue that is effectively sub-judice?
"We would like to ask why as president did he in haste allow the DRA to sit in hearing on this issue on May 19th knowing that the panel was not ratified, which is in clear breach of the association's rules governing that body as passed at Congress 2005.
"Why did he allow the hearing to proceed knowing that one of the three DRA members was not even on the panel subsequently ratified on May 21st?
"Why as president did he not ensure that crucial other rulings in relation to the issue (the 1977 Central Council ruling and the 1996 Congress ruling) be presented to the DRA for their information?
"If he wasn't aware of these relevant rulings, as everyone now seems to be, why when he did become aware did he not put his hands up and admit a serious error had taken place which certainly influenced the DRA ruling?
"St Brigid's recognise and respect the important role and integrity of this new body but surely we have a right to expect the rules of the association to apply in the interest of fair play to all."
TIPPERARY: Tipperary hurling manager Ken Hogan wants to stay at the helm, despite hostility from some fans since the defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland hurling quarter-final. That loss signalled the end of the two-year term of Hogan and his selectors, Jack Bergin and Colm Bonnar, and the Tipperary board, amid speculation there will be a change at the top, has appointed a committee to consider the matter.
But Hogan said this week he wants another term in charge and has a shortlist of potential selectors and backroom staff. "I was given a job to do and I did it to the best of my ability. I believe we can achieve success and I want to continue putting structures in place to do so.
I do not think it is right to be chopping and changing management all the time. If we can continue, with the players we have, I feel we can achieve a lot," he said.
GALWAY: Three-times All-Ireland club champions Athenry must do without manager Billy Caulfield for the defence of their Galway crown after his six-
month suspension was upheld by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
Caulfield was banned by the county board over an incident at an intermediate hurling match in June.
