Lack of information on €5 entry fee claims delegate

Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting

A complaint regarding information about a €5 entry fee for underage finals was met with a strong rebuke from Coiste na nÓg secretary Barry Kelly.

Speaking at last week’s County Committee meeting, Milltownpass delegate Shane Donoghue raised a query about the charge, suggesting a lot of people weren’t aware of it before they went to the gate for a final his club hosted. “A lot of people didn’t know. I understand the host clubs were notified, but it’s the responsibility of the county board, or the underage (board) in this case, to communicate that to the wider community,” he said.

Mr Donoghue revealed that the person charging on the gate suggested it was €350 to run each of the minor football (league) finals.

“I thought it was a strange comment,” he observed.

“He suggested that Milltownpass were responsible for everyone that walked in that gate to know it was €5 to go to that game. We have responsibility, but it doesn’t lie (solely) with us; it needs to be communicated,” he said.

Barry Kelly felt it was appropriate to inform people of the cost associated with the finals: it amounts to paying both for medals and referee’s expenses. “You can get 24 medals at around €12 each; that’s €288, and the referees, in the underage (league) finals, we give them €50. So that's €338,” he explained.

Mr Kelly said every club was contacted via email, two or three times, regarding finals and the cover charge. Every club has WhatsApp groups and can spread the word, he felt.

“It happens in Mullingar Shamrocks; every time we get into a final, everyone knows there is a €5 charge. We had 21 finals and I was on numerous gates over the last two or three weeks; no one came up and said they didn’t know about the charge. To be honest, if they come up and are just whining about €5, I just let them in,” he remarked.

Paddy Wallace, Coiste na nÓg chairman, pointed out that host clubs also received a token gesture of €50 towards the cost of using their facilities.

Shane Donoghue accepted the explanation, but stressed that the host club could not capture everyone from the community attending the final as some supporters may not be club members and would not receive messages and updates. Allowing those who complain in free of charge means a loss of income, he suggested.

Mr Kelly felt it would be difficult for Coiste na nÓg to contact people in the club who are not members.

Mr Donoghue explained that people were contacted through Milltownpass’ WhatsApp channels, but they could only handle so much.

“How do we (Coiste na nÓg) contact people in Milltownpass if you can’t?” queried Mr Kelly.

Mr Donoghue said he would take it back to the club, but Mr Kelly felt the delegate should offer a solution. “You can’t just come to a meeting and suggest problems without having a solution,” he declared.

“It’s not my question, Barry,” replied Mr Donoghue. “Milltownpass brought it up at a committee meeting and asked that I as their representative ask a question. If you’re asking for an answer I will go back to the club and raise it.”

Chairman Frank Mescall intervened at this stage and called for an end to “the over and back” exchanges. “I think both of you have aired your points very well. We’ll move on,” he remarked.