By Noel Coogan

Eamonn Barry was barred from standing for the position of coaching officer which he held for the last 12 months at Monday night's adjourned county convention in Aras Tailteann.

At the convention last month the right of Barry to run for the post was questioned when chairman Barney Allen claimed the Walterstown clubman was not a registered member of the association.

Barry disputed Allen's assertion, reading out a membership number. However, at this week's meeting the chairman ruled that the registration was made after the closing date of March 31st last.

The outgoing coaching officer suggested that the Walterstown club made an error by not registering him before the specified date and wondered if all those who voted at last month's convention were paid-up members.

Walterstown delegate John Daly asked why Barry, who had been a member of the GAA for 35 years, was being embarrassed and wondered why the membership of all the delegates who attended the convention checked.

Former county board vice-chairman Eugene Comaskey said: "This is the most petty carry-on I've ever seen. Eamonn should have been contacted a few days before convention."

Ann Gilsenan of the Kiltale club remarked: "Eamonn is a genuine GAA person and this could come back to bite us."

The chairman claimed that Barry had not been registered since 2003.

The position went to PJ Cudden, the only other nominated person interested in running. The Castletown clubman said he was disappointed with the carry-on but didn't see any reason for stepping aside.

Barry sportingly wished him well in the coming year. Tweet

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