Month: September 2021

THE GAA HAVE confirmed that no on-field activity will be permitted, including at inter-county level, until Easter after the publishing of yesterday’s latest Government Covid-19 plan.

The association have stated that it ‘remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021′ and insist no decision has been made on what competitions will or will not take place this year despite recent speculation that the league may be scrapped.

In a letter released today by GAA President John Horan and Director-General Tom Ryan, the latest state of play for the organisation has been outlined. 

They state that will ‘be seeking clarity on certain aspects’ related to sport in the new document but are confident that inter-county games will return at Level 4 and some club games in Level 3.

The revised fixtures plan for the year is intended to be published ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’  and believe the next developments will be made clear in the week leading up to Easter.

GAA Director-General Tom Ryan and President John Horan.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The update in full reads:

“As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government yesterday published their “Covid 19: Resilience and Recovery 2021” plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted – even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.

“We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these Levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for Counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.

Still unclear when action will return to Croke Park.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

“In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.

“The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with Counties and Clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.

“We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised National Fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.

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“We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.”

AFTER LAST WEEKEND’S GAA All-Stars, the focus now switches to ladies football.

Sinéad Goldrick, Aimee Mackin and Carla Rowe are in the running for the senior Players’ Player of the Year award.

Source: Inpho.

The top stars from the 2020 TG4 All-Ireland championships will be honoured on a special TV programme this evening. ‘Peil na mBan – Foirne na Bliana – le AIG Insurance’ kicks off on TG4 at 7.15pm.

Again, we’re in for a ceremony vastly different to other years where the crème de la crème of ladies football would converge on Dublin’s City West Hotel for a rousing reception. This year, the formalities take place in February as opposed to November, and largely remotely, for obvious reasons, with TG4 Peil na mBan lead anchor Máire Ní Bhraonáin hosting the hour-long programme from Croke Park.

On the show, Teams of the Championship across all three grades — junior, intermediate and senior — will be announced, along with the recipient of the the 2020 AIG Cúl na Bliana (Goal of the Year) honour.

But just like last weekend, the biggest prizes in the game will be watched even closer: the Players’ Player of the Year awards.

Two All-Ireland four-in-a-row winning Dubliners and a certain Armagh attacking sensation are in the running for the senior Player of the Year gong.

Looking to the Orchard county first, Aimee Mackin will be many people’s frontrunner for the award. One of the finest forwards the game has ever seen and already a two-time All-Star at the age of 23, this is the Shane O’Neills ace’s first nomination for the top prize.

Mackin scored a remarkable 5-17 across three championship games through the autumn,  and was central to Armagh’s charge as they reached their first All-Ireland semi-final since 2015.

She was named Player of the Match in both of their group games against Tyrone and Mayo; making a welcome return to the inter-county scene in style after a 15-month absence due to a devastating cruciate injury.

Her wand of a left foot certainly lit up the championship as she clocked some unbelievable scoring tallies, the most memorable of those a spectacular outside-of-the-boot point against Mayo in Parnell Park, and that cracking goal against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, which is also nominated for Goal of the Year.

DRAÍOCHT ag Aimee Mackin 😱👀💯

The @ArmaghLGFA forward is on 🔥🔥🔥 GOAL!!@LadiesFootball @20x20_ie @GAA_BEO #ProperFan #20×20 #PeilnamBan pic.twitter.com/p9RFF0aBxj

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 28, 2020

The last time the senior Player of the Year award was claimed by someone from a county outside the All-Ireland winners was in 2014 when Mackin’s team-mate Caroline O’Hanlon was recognised despite Cork’s success. 

Could this be a good omen for Mackin? Will she follow in her footsteps tonight?

Running the rule over the Dublin duo, it could be a case of third time lucky for Sinéad Goldrick, who has been nominated twice (2012 and 2019) in the past decade, while like Mackin, Carla Rowe has earned her first nomination.

With seven All-Stars in eight years (2017 is the odd one out) under her belt, Goldrick is widely expected to bag her eighth tonight and make the Team of the Championship. But the big question is will she add a Player of the Year honour to her ever-burgeoning cabinet?

Goldie is, and always has been, a key player for the Sky Blues. Everything that Dublin do goes through her, and that was best seen in her stunning Player of the Match performance in the All-Ireland final.

Consistently brilliant, the Foxrock-Cabinteely defender is certainly one of the best we’ve seen in the modern era and she’s recently brought her excellence to Melbourne FC in the Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW].

The 30-year-old has really come to the fore in her second season, establishing herself as a central figure in the Demons’ half-back line, just like she has done for so long with Dublin.

Rowe, likewise, was a vital cog in the Dublin machine as they powered to their fourth Brendan Martin Cup lift on the bounce.

When needed most, she stepped up — and she certainly stole the headlines in the business end of the year, playing vital roles in the semi-final and final in particular, in the absence of injured captain Sinéad Aherne 

Ever-impressive and a consistent figure in Dublin’s all-conquering running game, Rowe took her own game to another level this year and finished up with 3-10 across four games.

Dublin celebrate after December’s All-Ireland final.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

After the loss of Aherne in the All-Ireland semi-final, the Clann Mhuire forward took over the free-taking and penalty duties and finished with 2-4 that day (1-2 of that from play). The exact same thing happened in the final, with Rowe making up for a quiet opening period by winning and scoring the all-important penalty early in the second half, and converting all of her frees.

All-Ireland finalists Cork can perhaps feel hard done by not to have a representative among the nominees — Melissa Duggan is one in particular who was excellent — while several other Dubs, namely Jennifer Dunne, could easily be included, but in Mackin, Goldrick and Rowe, we certainly have three of the top stars of the 2020 championship.

Will the Dublin trend continue with Goldrick or Rowe following in the footsteps of Siobhán McGrath, Aherne and Noelle Healy — winners in 2019, ’18 and ’17 respectively — or will Mackin become the first Armagh Player of the Year since 2014 — and just second ever? 

Elsewhere, Meath attacking duo Emma Duggan and Vikki Wall have been nominated for the intermediate honour, having helped the Royals make it third time lucky in the All-Ireland final against Westmeath. The Lake County’s captain, Fiona Claffey, is also in the running for that one, with Wall most likely the frontrunner.

In the junior ranks, Fermanagh All-Ireland winners Joanne Doonan and Eimear Smyth — the reigning Player of the Year from 2019 — battle it out for the prize with Meadhbh Deeney, of beaten finalists Wicklow.

***

TIPPERARY’S ORLA O’Dwyer nabbed a goal for Brisbane Lions as they defeated the Fremantle Dockers and strengthened their Premiership charge for the 2021 season.

The Lions secured a 3.7 (25) to 1.8 (14) win over Fremantle, with O’Dwyer’s goal coming in the third quarter.

That result creates a big battle for supremacy at the summit of the AFLW ladder.

Brisbane are currently in pole position with 16 points but the Dockers, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs are also on 16 with everything still to play for.

Collingwood are also in action against Melbourne tomorrow. There is plenty of Irish involvement in both clubs as Sarah Rowe and Aishling Sheridan are stars for Collingwood while Dublin trio Sinéad Goldrick, Niamh McEvoy and Lauren Magee on the books with Melbourne. 

Elsewhere in Round 5 on Saturday, the Western Bulldogs picked up their fourth straight win after defeating Cora Staunton’s Greater Western Sydney [GWS] Giants, while Aileen Gilroy’s North Melbourne overcame Carlton.

Orla O’Dwyer gave @lionsaflw the perfect start as they secured a massive win ending @freodockersaflw 11 game unbeaten run in @aflwomens Round 5 @SportTG4 @gympluscoffee pic.twitter.com/xcAYqB4hlI

— AFL Ireland Womens (@AFLIrelandWomen) February 27, 2021

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THE SIN-BIN rule is set to be introduced in hurling on a trial basis, after a motion proposing new penalties for aggressive and cynical fouls in hurling and football was passed at Congress.

Motion 20 was passed following an online vote, with 61% of delegates voting in favour of the motion via video conference.

One of the penalties outlined in the motion states that in hurling, a penalty shall be awarded and the offender be yellow-carded and sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes if a cynical foul is committed on a player with a goal-scoring opportunity either inside the 20-metre line or the semi-circular arc.

Additionally, the offending player will be ordered off for the remainder of the game including any extra-time to be played if the foul is a second caution or one that merits a red-card.

Another sanction included in the motion reads that a penalty will be awarded in football if a cynical foul is committed on an attacking player with a goal-scoring opportunity inside the 20-metre line or the semi-circular arc.

This motion generated a lengthy debate at Congress with some speakers calling for the motion to be deferred to a Special Congress later this year.

Offaly chairman Michael Duignan was among those who spoke in favour of the motion on a trial basis, saying that cynical fouling in hurling is “different than it used to be.”

GAA President John Horan initially called for the motion to be decided by a virtual show of hands on the video link. He then announced an online vote to determine the result.

The vote returned a 61% majority in favour of passing the motion, while 39% of delegates voted against it.

Motion 27 was also passed at Congress. This allows teams to make the temporary substitution of a player with a suspected head injury. The motion is an elaboration of the current rule which allows for the temporary substitution of a player with a blood injury.

Motion 13, which proposes restricting the county senior championships to a maximum of 16 teams to help streamline the club season was also passed.

This motion was also decided by an online vote following some initial debate, with 66% of delegates voting in favour of passing the motion while 34% were against it.

It is hoped that this motion will help to deliver a practical fixtures schedule.

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INCOMING GAA PRESIDENT Larry McCarthy says he has no further clarity on the format for the 2021 season but was “delighted” to see the motion regarding new penalties for cynical fouls passed at Congress.

Motion 20 was passed by an online vote earlier today, with 61% of delegates voting it through via video conference.

The new set of rules include the introduction of a sin-bin into hurling on a trial basis, as well as penalties awarded in football and hurling for cynical fouls preventing goal opportunities from inside the 20m line.

There was robust debate about the motion, with outgoing President John Horan initially calling for a show of hands to determine the result before asking delegates to cast their votes virtually instead. 

“I’m delighted it passed,” McCarthy told a press briefing as his new term at the head of the association begins having been elected last year.

“I’m absolutely delighted that it passed. There’s cynicism in all sports. The sooner we can clamp down on it, the better. And I think this rule will address that.”

The GAA Ard Stiúrthóir, Tom Ryan added:

“The most important thing from my point of view was the process that applied, and I’m not sure how long we went on with the debate, it was close on an hour.

“I think it got a good airing, and I think everyone who wanted to speak, got a chance to speak on it. I’m pleased with the process that it went through, and I’m pleased it was done properly in difficult circumstances.

“Also the thing to bear in mind is it’s a trial. We shouldn’t be afraid to embark upon new things and try new things, and I think it will make a difference.”

It was announced last week that the 2021 GAA season is to start in May at the earliest while only inter-county GAA is permitted under Level 4 restrictions, according to the Government’s revised ‘Living With Covid-19′ plan.

There’s no further clarity about the 2021 season yet.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Senior club championship games can be played under Level 3 restrictions.

Level 5 Covid restrictions have been extended until 5 April, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin raising the prospect of a GAA season commencing in May after revealing that a review of the Government’s plan will take place before 5 April.

The GAA previously indicated their hope to complete the National Leagues this year, but McCarthy said they have no further information about the format for the 2021 season.

“I have no clarity whatsoever, aside from what Tom [Ryan] released in the last number of weeks, I have no particular insight.”

In his speech as the 40th President of the GAA, McCarthy called on the authorities to allow children return to clubs for underage GAA activity once the schools are re-opened.

He reiterated his stance on this when speaking to the media, and referred to his experience in America where he has lived since emigrating there in 1985.

“Having seen schools open in the US and school sports coming back, I would have to be optimistic. But I only landed in this country the last 48 hours. It would be wrong for me to suggest I would be optimistic, or not optimistic about it.

“But I am asking it, on the basis of our history and the basis that we did it last year. Acknowledging that circumstances are a bit different this year, the variant is stronger apparently.”

McCarthy was also asked about comments made by Offaly GAA chairman Michael Duignan at Congress, and his call for equal funding models for counties.

“In the current circumstances where finances are dyer,” says McCarthy, “there will obviously have to be a review of financing. So I’ll just leave it at that, rather than delving into the nuances of equalisation.”

When pressed as to whether he would be against equalisation on a philosophical level, McCarthy replied:

“On a philosophical level, no I wouldn’t. But you have to  acknowledge where the money is going and the value we’re getting out of it. And whether the investments we’re making, whether we’re going to get a good return on them.”

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Updated Feb 27th 2021, 9:11 PM

MEATH ALL-IRELAND WINNER Vikki Wall has opened up about the regular verbal abuse — related to her weight — she has been subjected to from the sideline and stands while playing inter-county football.

Wall, who was named Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year on TG4′s ladies football awards programme, ‘Peil na mBan – Foirne na Bliana – le AIG Insurance,’ tonight, used her winning interview to speak about her horrific experiences for the first time.

The 22-year-old candidly detailed how, for several years, she and her family had to listen to regular insults about her during games.

“Since 2017, when I was in sixth year, I put on 10 or 12 kg that year,” she began. “That changed the way I played the game, you know?”

Emotional at times, she continued: “To be honest from 2017 to 2019, I heard something in every single game about my weight. Especially from managers on the sideline or people like that.

“Even last year, I got a call from one of the managers saying he was sorry after one of the games about the things he said the day before. You don’t forget those things. They stay with you.

“On a few occasions, my Mam was next to a woman who said I was too fat to play football and things like that. I’ve lost that weight now but yeah… many things have changed personally and team-wise as well.”

Dunboyne star Wall — who was also named at centre-half forward on the Intermediate Team of the Championship — touched on her personal story while discussing the wider difficult journey her side endured en route to 2020 All-Ireland glory.

A fluent Irish speaker, she did so all as Gaeilge.

“Many things have changed since I came into the panel in 2015 to this year,” she explained. “Many of the girls have come back.

“We had around 32 girls this year and in 2015 when we were playing against Cork we had to ring people the day before to ask if they wanted to play the following day. We lost by 40 points that day so it was terrible but it has completely changed now this year.”

Fast forward a few years to 2018 from that dark in ’15, Meath reached the All-Ireland intermediate final only to fall short at the hands of Tyrone.

In 2019, Tipperary broke their hearts in the Croke Park decider.

Wall detailed the doubts about whether they would ever get over the line which followed, along with the self-evaluation as the verbal abuse directed at her came to a head.

In 2020, the Royals made it third time lucky in the showpiece against Westmeath.

Wall facing Westmeath in Croke Park in December.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

That said, it didn’t happen without a few scares along the way, as Wall recalls. A blitz of early goals and a devastating knee injury to her sister, Sarah, made things difficult for Meath, but Vikki stepped up with 1-3 in a Player of the Match-winning performance to inspire her side to the elusive Mary Quinn Memorial Cup for the first time.

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“The first few minutes of that game are mixed up in my mind. When they got the goal, I thought, ‘Is this going to happen again?’

“When Sarah went down with her knee, I didn’t know how bad it was. She was crying but we were kind laughing and she was saying that she could keep playing. But she stood up and she was only standing on one leg, saying she could keep playing. When she left the pitch, I was angry on one hand but I was also upset for her.

“She tore her ACL in transition year too and I knew the work she put in to get back on the team. It was very difficult to watch her leave the pitch. When I got the ball after Sarah left the pitch I was livid. So I think that played a part in the goal.

“At the final whistle, I was on the sideline with Sarah after getting the yellow card. Mam was saying he gave me that so I could celebrate with Sarah at the final whistle! But yeah, it was amazing. That’s the dream when you play football with your county, to win the All-Ireland final in Croke Park.”

Is Vikki Wall's solo effort for @meathladiesMLGF the best goal scored in the 2020 @LadiesFootball championship? 🏐 🏆

Watch the full list of nominees and cast your vote for a chance to win a €500 voucher for @ONeills1918 here👉 https://t.co/nK6nBgdEjk#EffortIsEqual pic.twitter.com/BQtbTfkUXV

— AIG Ireland (@AIGIreland) February 23, 2021

That goal she speaks of was a memorable one, and one which was nominated for Goal of the Year alongside a host of other top-drawer finishes.

But the Player of the Year award surely puts the icing on top of an unforgettable 2020 ladies football season in which Wall starred on and off the pitch, doing some analysis on TG4 when she wasn’t caught up with her own inter-county commitments.

“To win this award, it’s definitely special,” she concluded, after pipping her clubmate Emma Duggan and Westmeath’s Fiona Claffey to the prize.

“Being voted by the players, I definitely was surprised. I would have had conversations on the pitch this year! It’s an unbelievable honour, to be honest. I’m absolutely chuffed and delighted to have been given the award.”

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Source: AIG Ireland.

IT WAS A night to savour in the Mackin household in Camlough.

An All-Stars ceremony the ridiculously talented Armagh family will never forget, and not just because of the remote nature of the 2020 ladies football end of season awards: ‘Peil na mBan – Foirne na Bliana – le AIG Insurance,’ on TG4.

Sisters, Aimee and Blaithin, were named on the 2020 TG4 Senior Team of the Championship, while the older of the pair completed a clean sweep after a simply stunning individual campaign.

Aimee landed the coveted Senior Players’ Player of the Year award, the game’s top gong, while also rounding a glittering evening off with the Goal of the Year honour. Four awards in total; a truly special occasion for the Mackins, and the Shane O’Neills club.

Seeing off competition from Dublin duo Sinéad Goldrick and Carla Rowe, 23-year-old Aimee became the first player from a county outside the All-Ireland winners to win Player of the Year since her team-mate Caroline O’Hanlon did so in 2014, despite Cork’s success.

Mackin was many people’s frontrunner for the award, and that stat may have felt like a good omen for Armagh fans ahead of last night’s programme. 

There were no major disagreements after it was announced, and how could there be? The Shane O’Neill’s ace scored a remarkable 5-17 across three championship games through the autumn, and was central to Armagh’s charge as they reached their first All-Ireland semi-final since 2015.

Mackin was named Player of the Match in both of their group games against Tyrone and Mayo, making a welcome return to the inter-county scene in style after a 15-month absence due to a devastating cruciate injury.

It's a double win for @LadiesFootball Senior Player of the Year @AimeeMackin who also scored the @AIGIreland Goal of the Year for @ArmaghLGFA👏🏆🌟

What a finish this was after an outrageous dummy hop👏🌟🏐#EffortIsEqual pic.twitter.com/CeQolb9vyE

— AIG Ireland (@AIGIreland) February 27, 2021

One of the finest forwards the game has ever seen and now a three-time All-Star, Mackin’s wand of a left foot lit up the championship as she clocked some unbelievable scoring tallies; the most memorable of those that spectacular goal against Dublin in their semi-final and a beautiful outside-of-the-boot point against Mayo. 

As is her sister, Blaithin, who established herself as one of the country’s top defenders last season, often popping up with a score or two herself that her sister would be proud of.

It comes as the fourth year in-a-row that a set of sisters were named on the All-Star selection: Ciara and Niamh Hegarty (Donegal) were there in 2017, Ciara and Doireann O’Sullivan (Cork) in 2018, and Nicola and Louise Ward (Galway) in 2019.

The Mackin sisters were two of Armagh’s three representatives on the Senior Team of the Year, teak-tough full back Clodagh McCambridge also getting the recognition she deserves in the number three jersey.

Aimee (20) and Blaithin (14) Mackin celebrate a score.

Source: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

The county breakdown is as such: Dublin 6, Cork 4, Armagh 3, Galway 1, Tipperary 1.

Mick Bohan’s All-Ireland winners dominate the line-up as they have done after each of their last four successful years — though they have one less representative than in 2018 and 2019, and equal their six total in 2017. 

Goldrick scooped an eye-catching eighth All-Star award in nine years in defence after another brilliant campaign — the record-equalling 11th is in sight — while Martha Byrne was recognised for the first time; a long overdue nod, following in the footsteps of her team-mate Niamh Collins last year.

Byrne’s Cuala clubmate Jennifer Dunne bagged a midfield position on the Team of the Championship — also her first All-Star — after her stellar campaign and key role for the Dubliners. The individual accolades come as the icing on top for the pair, after they won the county intermediate title with their club on top of those Celtic Crosses.

Carla Rowe, as expected, was included in the half-forward line alongside the evergreen Lyndsey Davey, while 2017 Footballer of the Year Noelle Healy took a corner forward spot. The trio all play central parts in Dublin’s impressive running game — a key component to their recent success — and pick up their fourth, sixth and fifth All-Stars respectively.

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Siobhán McGrath and Lauren Magee can both perhaps feel hard done by, with some Dublin fans saying the county should have landed more (Dublin and Limerick both bagged nine each in the Gaelic football and hurling editions last weekend).

But that’s the nature of these things, there’s always going to be debate and discussion.

Jennifer Dunne (9) and Carla Rowe (12) both landed awards.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Beaten All-Ireland finalists, Cork, had four top stars honoured in goalkeeper Martina O’Brien, defensive duo Eimear Meaney and Melissa Duggan, and attacker Áine Terry O’Sullivan.

One of the safest pair of hands in the game and Cork’s captain for 2021, O’Brien finally received her long-deserved individual award, as did Meaney after a couple of nominations.

A first All-Star, too, rounded off an unforgettable season for Beara’s O’Sullivan, who captained West Cork to senior county glory, while Duggan — who was Cork’s best player this season in this writer’s opinion — clinched her second, and went back-to-back.

The two outstanding players from the counties with one nominee each, Galway and Tipperary, make up the 15. Louise Ward also went back-to-back with her second All-Star in midfield, while Aishling Moloney — another freakishly talented forward like Mackin, who lit up the championship — takes her place at full forward despite Tipp’s early exit. 2-17 in two games, both which the Premier lost by a single point, warranted her inclusion.

It was a successful programme all round, hosted by Máire Ní Bhraonáin from Croke Park, with heavy input from Sorcha Furlong.

The top talent in the intermediate and junior ranks were also applauded in Teams of the Year, making a change from the usual All-Star team full of senior stars with one or two intermediate standouts included.

Meath scoring ace Vikki Wall was named Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year, while Fermanagh’s Eimear Smyth took the Junior equivalent for the second year in-a-row after their respective All-Ireland wins. 

The Royals dominated the second-tier team with seven included, while it was beaten junior finalists Wicklow who had that number on the junior outfit. Fermanagh saw five of their top stars included, one notable omission Joanne Doonan who was nominated for Player of the Year but not recognised on the team.

But that’s the nature of All-Star teams and individual awards: they’re subjective and not everyone always agrees.

One thing we can certainly agree on, however, is that the senior team is the latest reminder of Dublin’s dominance, and that Aimee Mackin had a special 2020.

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THE INTENTION TO “tidy up presentation around matches” is the thinking behind a new GAA rule which prevents joint-captains from lifting trophies together.

A controversial motion was passed at Congress on Saturday, dictating that joint-captains will no longer be allowed to accept a trophy on behalf of their team. Instead, a single captain must be appointed to accept the cup.

Motion 7 was passed by delegates who were attending the Congress via video conference.

The ruling triggered a controversial reaction among GAA fans, who questioned the logic to abolish this tradition.

Joint-captains have become a common sight in recent years, including skippers Matthew O’Hanlon and Lee Chin who lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup for the Wexford hurlers after the 2019 Leinster final.

Kieran O’Leary and Fionn Fitzgerald held up the Sam Maguire after Kerry were crowned All-Ireland champions in 2014.

“It specifically refers to two people accepting the trophy from whoever’s presenting it,” GAA Ard Stiúrthóir, Tom Ryan, told the media when asked about the motion.

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“Thereafter, I’m sure you’ll be familiar with scenes where people in succession go up and lift trophies and partake in that. It’s not that. It’s specifically the ceremony attaching to handing over the cup.”

When asked to further elaborate the rationale behind bringing the motion before Congress, Ryan added:

“[The] Sentiment [is to] tidy up things around the periphery of match day presentation, probably around the same theme as incursions into the field and there have been overtures in recent years about Maor Foirne, not in response to anything specific but just a desire to tidy up presentation around matches.”

Joint captains not allowed lift the trophy on behalf of their team would ye ever get a life in the Gaa and sort out other area's that are in need of fixing 😂🙉
Gona be some craic trying to stop joint captains lifting cups around the country come business end of the year 🏆🤡🤦‍♂️

— Frankie Dolan (@Frankie_Dolan_) February 27, 2021

Out of the 47 motions discussed at congress today, some were good, some were bad.I think we can all agree the most pointless one was the joint captains motion..as useful as a handbrake in a canoe or a chocolate teapot. Stupid. I hope we see teams have 4 or 5 capts now like NFL 😇

— Shane McGrath (@Shaneytweet) February 27, 2021

Incoming GAA President Larry McCarthy also addressed the media after the conclusion of the 2021 Congress.

While laying out his plans for the future, he indicated his desire to change the format of the All-Ireland SFC although he said he didn’t have a “particular preference” for replacing it with a league format.

He also stressed that the biggest challenge facing the GAA over the next two years is “getting us back on the field.”

A lot of uncertainty remains about the format of the 2021 GAA season. There will no on-filed activity at any level until Easter and no decision has been made about what competitions can take place this year.

Level 5 restrictions will remain in place in Ireland until 5 April following the release of the Government’s revised ‘Living With Covid-19′ plan last week.

Inter-county GAA is only permitted under Level 4 while senior club championships are covered under Level 3. Ryan says the 2021 fixture schedule will be determined by the whatever decisions are made by the Government in relation to Covid-19.

“From my own perspective at the moment, everything seems to be challenged. To be honest I don’t know what we’ll be able to play and what we won’t be able to play.

“An awful lot will depend on what latitude we’re permitted by the Government and the time that we’re left with. On the theme of last year, we’ll do everything we can to get as much as we can played but we haven’t gone into specifics.

“We’ve all manner of contingency plans but three or four of them have already been torn up and thrown out since the start of the year. I genuinely don’t know.”

DONEGAL 2012 ALL-Ireland senior winners Eamonn McGee and Leo McLoone have both been named as part of the county’s new U20 football management team.

Buncrana’s Gary Duffy has been appointed the new Donegal U20 boss after being in charge of the county minor team in 2019.

McGee and McLoone have both been announced as part of the management where they will draw on their vast playing experience for these coaching roles.

The interview process to appoint Duffy was conducted by a panel that included 2012 Footballer of the Year Karl Lacey, who is now the Head of Academy Development in Donegal.

Gary Duffy Appointed 2021 U-20 Manager @buncranagaa https://t.co/qAA4ae0Yha

— Official Donegal GAA (@officialdonegal) March 1, 2021

Gaoth Dobhair player McGee started in the full-back line for Donegal’s 2012 final win over Mayo with Naomh Conaill’s McLoone lining out in attack. The pair also started in the 2014 final loss to Kerry with McGee retiring from senior duty in August 2016 and McLoone calling it a day in January 2020.

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Donegal’s last success at this level was in the old U21 grade when they won out in Ulster in 2017 with McLoone part of the team that previously claimed honours back in 2010 under the guidance of Jim McGuinness.

WEXFORD’S 2019 LEINSTER hurling winning joint captain Matthew O’Hanlon called the GAA’s decision to ban co-skippers from lifting trophies “nonsensical” but says it’s not a major issue.

O’Hanlon and Lee Chin lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup together two seasons ago but the Association officially ended the practice of joint captains accepting cups in official presentations at last Saturday’s virtual Annual Congress.

“My first instinct was, I didn’t understand really where it was coming from,” said O’Hanlon. “There were other issues at a GAA Congress level that should be given a higher priority than that.

“But in essence, it doesn’t really bother me. It doesn’t bother Lee. We’re nominated by our peers and selected by our management to lead the team. We’re still going to lead our team in that way.

“It’s a good problem to have if it comes to us having to lift a trophy and decide which one of us goes up, because it just means that we’re after winning something. So we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

“But yeah, overarching feeling is [it’s] nonsensical. I don’t really understand where it came from and why it was a big pain point for people in given counties.

“But the decision is passed now. So there’s no real point in complaining. We just move on with it.”

On the possibility of a joint captain missing out being in a potentially iconic picture lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup, he responded: “It’s probably not something I give a huge amount of thought to, just yet. The first point to make is, every single player and management lifts the trophy at some point when you win it anyway.

“So I mean, the difference between two people lifting it together or lifting it consecutively after one another is minimum. You can have pictures of all those moments.

“But yeah, I understand, it’s iconic. They’re the ones that will be circulating afterwards. Ultimately, it will be a good problem to have if Wexford are winning. That’s my number one concern.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s me lifting the trophy or Lee or someone else on the panel. My overarching goal is that Wexford are successful. And if it comes to lifting trophies, we’ll figure out who poses for the photo then.”

Wexford voted against the motion and chairman Micheál Martin says they’ll be seeking clarification on the rule with Croke Park.

“We’ll just seek clarification in context of the motion and its implications. I think Longford have indicated they’ll seek deviations. Anytime we bring in a rule that deviations are required, immediately it probably means that we may need to rethink as an Association whether the motion is actually practical or not.

“I’m principal of a primary school and at underage games joint captains have become more frequent so I think there’s a degree of clarification required around how this motion is going to be implemented.”

Martin added, “Lee and Matthew received the Bob O’Keeffe in 2019 and I don’t think there were any issues in terms of either the reception of the trophy or the speech making afterwards.

“I know Kerry had Kieran O’Leary and Fionn Fitzgerald (in 2014), so I’m not aware of the issues. To be fair, the motion has been passed. That’s democracy. We just seek clarification in terms of the implementation.”

Shane Roche and Matthew O Hanlon pictured at the launch of Wexford GAA’s Strategic Plan.

Source: Noel Reddy Photography

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O’Hanlon and Martin were speaking at the launch of Wexford GAA’s €5m five-year strategic plan [2021-25].

It’s Wexford GAA’s aim to have at least 15 full-time games promotion officers (GPOs) in place by 2025 while providing 75% of funding for clubs to employ them.

Team USA boxing coach Billy Walsh, QPR FC coach and former London senior football manager Ciarán Deely, Declan Browne (IT Carlow), Fionn MacPartlin (Team GB) and sprint coach Shane McCormack were involved in designing the strategy will sit on a high performance committee to oversee it’s implementation.

It includes plans to develop a 4G pitch in the county, in addition to further developing their centre of excellence in Ferns which will include a gym and new dressing rooms.