National Forum

Inter County Transfer Objection

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Club can't object to inter county transfer, it's automatic

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1477 - 03/05/2023 12:46:25    2475381

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Replying To MesAmis:  "As long as he hasn't paid membership to his first club so far this year then he can move freely on 1st of January next with no objection possible AFAIK.

Obviously once the player wants to make the move the club should really just acquiesce and let him go. No possible good can come out of an objection imo."
That first line might be a by-law in Dublin (seems unlikely, but I don't know the Dublin by-laws), but it's not in the rule book and definitely not the case that every player in every club in every county becomes a free agent on the 1st of January each year, free to go wherever they like.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 03/05/2023 13:17:39    2475393

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Club can't object to inter county transfer, it's automatic"
It's far from automatic. Same as any other transfer request, the request form must be signed (and therefore approved) by the Secretary of the club that the player is leaving, and the player has to meet the criteria for the transfer sought.

Relevant rule is 6.6(b), as set out on page 75 here:
https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/xlasjshmfdcmfrynmvhz.pdf
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It clearly states "Such application shall not be granted unless the player is in permanent residence in the new County", save for a few exceptions, mostly related to the "other relevant connection" rule.

The other exception is if you're living in a new county but want to transfer back to your previous club or first club in your home county, which is not the case in this particular situation.

So, the grounds on which the player is seeking the transfer remain hugely relevant here. Under rule, "I'd just prefer to play somewhere else" is insufficient.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 03/05/2023 13:23:46    2475398

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "And I'll say the same thing to you - be careful what you wish for, particularly if you're from a relatively small club yourself.

Anyway, still waiting for an answer from the man seeking the transfer. If he's in permanent residence in the new county or has an other relevant connection to the new club (as defined by rule), then yes, it would appear the home club is being petty.

On the other hand, if he doesn't meet the criteria under rule for an inter-county transfer, then the home club is doing wrong. Unless you consider it wrong to be reluctant to facilitate yet another dodgy transfer, of which there are far too many already. But that's a whole other barrel of fish."
Edit to a line in this one, where it should say "if he doesn't meet the criteria under rule for an inter-county transfer, then the home club is doing no wrong."

One small word, but makes a big difference here!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 03/05/2023 13:43:02    2475413

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Find another more friendly and welcoming sport to play. It's ridiculous in this day and age that if a person wants to participate in an amateur sport, that they can only play for one club, a club that they have no choice about. Otherwise, they can't play the sport."
Absolutely.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1693 - 03/05/2023 14:42:19    2475429

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Replying To Galway9801:  "Absolutely."
I've said it twice already.....!!! ;)

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 03/05/2023 15:15:37    2475446

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "That first line might be a by-law in Dublin (seems unlikely, but I don't know the Dublin by-laws), but it's not in the rule book and definitely not the case that every player in every club in every county becomes a free agent on the 1st of January each year, free to go wherever they like."
Perhaps I worded it unclearly.

If you sit out a full season unregistered you can join any club you want after that afaik.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13703 - 03/05/2023 16:16:06    2475471

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Reasons like this are imo why so many people pack in GAA. If someone, within reason, isn't happy with their current club they should be left move. I would say many decent club players over the years would have given up young because of something happening within their club. Granted it might not always be the clubs fault either.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1379 - 03/05/2023 16:40:29    2475481

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Perhaps I worded it unclearly.

If you sit out a full season unregistered you can join any club you want after that afaik."
Well, still not the case in general rule, but possible to have some such provision in a county's by-laws all right. For instance, we've something like it here in Wexford, to govern transfers between the football clubs in Wexford town.

Important to remember though that a county's by-laws apply in that county only, can can't be used in seeking an inter-county transfer. As stated, they're granted only on grounds of residency, or "other relevant connection", as defined in the rulebook.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 03/05/2023 17:37:19    2475500

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Replying To oneoff:  "Reasons like this are imo why so many people pack in GAA. If someone, within reason, isn't happy with their current club they should be left move. I would say many decent club players over the years would have given up young because of something happening within their club. Granted it might not always be the clubs fault either."
I've said it three times already...... ;)

Seriously though, the underlying principle is that the GAA was established as a community and cultural organisation as much as a sporting one, and still strives to operate that way. Hence the attachment to first club, or various conditions attached to transfer to another club.

Some people consider it one of the Association's great strengths. Others consider it a fault. So be it.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 03/05/2023 17:39:57    2475502

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Off topic - but how about allowing stronger counties to enter their B, C teams etc?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2567 - 03/05/2023 19:49:50    2475523

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "And I'll say the same thing to you - be careful what you wish for, particularly if you're from a relatively small club yourself.

Anyway, still waiting for an answer from the man seeking the transfer. If he's in permanent residence in the new county or has an other relevant connection to the new club (as defined by rule), then yes, it would appear the home club is being petty.

On the other hand, if he doesn't meet the criteria under rule for an inter-county transfer, then the home club is doing wrong. Unless you consider it wrong to be reluctant to facilitate yet another dodgy transfer, of which there are far too many already. But that's a whole other barrel of fish."
In permanent residence here and family connections. Objection has gone through have to wait now to see the next move

Gaa2023 (Donegal) - Posts: 4 - 04/05/2023 07:30:30    2475553

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Replying To Gaa2023:  "In permanent residence here and family connections. Objection has gone through have to wait now to see the next move"
It's only now that I see you actually mentioned in your first post that you're living in the "new" county - apologies for missing that before.

That in itself should be enough to see the transfer granted. The family connection might strengthen your hand even more, if it's strong enough to meet the "other relevant connection" as defined by general rule or county bye-laws. For example, strong enough if your parents were living there at the time you were born. Not strong enough if you just happen to have cousins there.

But either way, the residency should make it fairly open and shut. Difficult to see why the current club is opposed to the transfer, unless they really are acting the you-know-what.

For clarity - when you say they're "objecting" - I take it you mean they're not approving of the transfer request, by not having the Secretary sign the request form?

There's a subtle difference between objecting to a transfer, and not approving it. An objection would generally be lodged by a third party - e.g. if another club in your new county thought you were a good player who was coming in on dodgy grounds, and that it would be unfair for their own teams to have to line out against you.

If your current Secretary has actually already signed the form, and there are no other objections from any other parties, you should have a stronger chance again of it going through.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2220 - 04/05/2023 14:20:16    2475680

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Their objection won't stand up, neatly all inter County transfer are ratified as long as proof of address in the new county is provided

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1591 - 05/05/2023 22:01:08    2476005

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I have no clue about the cross border rivalry between Naomh Pádraig and Strabane Sigersons! :D"
Don't mind Tom; his club in Monaghan have availed of transfers in the not so distant past. I forgive his lack of knowledge on Cavan club football, hes not from the area. Two of the Cavan clubs he mentioned there are in the same parish as Cavan Gaels. Also, I'd love him to name Ballyhaise or Ballinagh lads who are currently playing for the Gaels.

Fontofwisdom (Cavan) - Posts: 128 - 06/05/2023 13:54:23    2476078

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