At a meeting n Croke Park today Central Council stated that their will be no wreath laying by the UK government to remember Bloody Sunday; confirmed that two yellow cards cannot be appealed; commented on the Tyrone-GPA row; and discussed an upcoming report on player welfare. Bloody Sunday It was reported that in so far as the GAA is concerned there is no substance to alleged leaks from the Secretary of State's office in Northern Ireland to the effect that a wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Bloody Sunday memorial in Croke Park on the day of the Ireland v England Rugby game. Rules It was decided that in a situation where a player receives two consecutive yellow cards and the referee confirms his decision in writing, his decision cannot be overturned by the Central Hearings Committee. The revised match regulations were also approved and it was pointed out that these will again be reviewed after the Allianz National Leagues. GPA A response to a recent letter published by the Tyrone Co Board was read to the delegates by the President Nickey Brennan. Dessie Farrell stated that he hoped that matters would move on from there and expressed his satisfaction with the talks with the GAA currently in progress in relation to grants. The Tyrone delegate Brendan Harkin stated that he was bemused at a suggestion that there are welfare issues with the Tyrone hurling panel and stated that he intended seeking clarification from D Farrell in the matter. The Central Council were given a briefing on progress in respect of talks with the GPA by Con Hogan who is representing Central Council in the discussions. Player Welfare Paraic Duffy, the Player Welfare Manager, stated that it is intended to bring reports to Congress in April on Club Fixtures and Player Burnout. He stated that these were core issues in relation to player welfare and needed to be addressed as a priority. He said that the reports would contain specific proposals. He also revealed that he has established a system of direct line of communication with players countrywide, with a view to creating a database. He said that a clear statement of player entitlements would issue to County Boards in the next week and he reminded delegates that each county must have a County Panel Finance Committee. He said that a programme where 400 players would receive cardiac screening will start in the next few weeks and he stated that a Cardiac Questionnaire would shortly issue to all players which could be an important early indicator if a medical problem existed. It was also stated that in addition to county grounds grants for defibrillators are being made available to other grounds where inter county matches are played and that it was hoped that this facility would eventually extend to club grounds. Tweet

Most Read Stories