‘Unusual’ jersey decision queried

Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting

The GAA has decided not to permit the promotion of charitable causes, or other causes, on jerseys, and that decision remains. However, this was not discussed or ratified by the GAA's leading body, club delegates at the recent meeting of the Westmeath County Committee in the Mullingar Park Hotel learned.

While there was a lot of publicity about Limerick and Tipperary players willing to wear a special jersey for the Dillon Quirke Foundation in their Munster championship game, it was ruled out of order. This generated a lot of negative publicity, but Tom Hunt, Westmeath's Central Council delegate, confirmed that, to the best of his knowledge - and he checked with others - it was not discussed at Central Council level.

County Committee Chairman Frank Mescall confirmed he asked Mr Hunt to raise the issue at Central Council level in order to check the rationale behind the decision. He said it seemed unusual.

"As a county we have done it twice over the last number of years, so it seems unusual," he remarked.

Following a query from the floor, it was confirmed that the GAA's decision also impacts on clubs, preventing them from promoting charitable causes on their jerseys in the future.

Praise for senior hurlers

There was praise for the Westmeath senior hurling side, who remained in division one of the league after a great win over Laois in the relegation play-off at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Hurling Committee Chairman Willie Murphy acknowledged a fine achievement on the part of Joe Fortune's side, while Frank Mescall said Westmeath won a fine game of hurling against the O'Moore County.

"It was a great game, by both teams in fairness; they really put on a quality game. We were just about the better team, especially in the second half. I think Laois were the better team in the first half. So congratulations to everyone involved with hurling in the county; a great result for us," he remarked.

Maor Foirne remains sidelined

A decision has been taken not to permit the Maor Foirne to return for football and hurling, Central Council delegate Tom Hunt explained. There was a suggestion this be relaxed, but it received no support at Ard Comhairle level, he said.

"You can take it the Maor Foirne is gone - the field is for players, the referee and officials and not lads running wild around the place," he remarked.

There was a discussion on the age grade also, with some of the options requiring a rule change next year. However, it doesn't apply to Westmeath.