Houserules. The Fintona Clubs' constitution refers to the promotion of Gaelic games as outlined in the official guide, not just Gaelic Football. It also refers though to assisting in the promotion of Community Spirit. Clearly Fintona are lacking in that respect? People are being assaulted and harassed in the streets and I myself have been threatened by some members of the club. You need not to talk to me about the law I am well educated in that respect already. What is very interesting though is the GAA strategy document 2009-2015. This will commit all units of the association to a number of things including an Inclusion Strategy. The clubs current position will militate against the Associations efforts in this area. My major concern in this area is the community, is not about soccer but equality.

ednasop (Tyrone) - Posts: 50 - 20/01/2009 20:01:12    185349

I see this issue is not going to go away; there are now nearly six thousand who have viewed this topic. I note the contribution from Mick O'Connell; does he know something others do not? I have seen his posts on other discussions and he is not usually far from the mark. I thought the most interesting match would be Fintona/Drumragh, I had heard a couple of the Fintona soccer boys had signed for them. Only one thing guaranteed this year and that is, that they will not be relegated. It is very disappointing for a club which I once had so much respect for, has fallen so low and not just in football terms.

Fionntamhnach (Fermanagh) - Posts: 16 - 20/01/2009 20:12:03    185355

Edenasop,
You need to read the Treorai Oifiguil and see where my last post came from.

houserules (Donegal) - Posts: 165 - 20/01/2009 21:17:11    185429

I would like to say well done to the Gaelic footballers of Fintona, there seems to be no end of crap being posted on here and it will do little to no good. To the Gaels who have shown great restraint and dignity in not getting involved in this well done, its just what some posters want.

I hear training is starting soon, get the heads down lads and work hard, answer these critics on the field of play.

Again good luck this season, you are on the right road reguardless of what some might think.

Na Piarsaigh Abu.

Yer Man (None) - Posts: 286 - 20/01/2009 21:23:42    185435

Houserules. I assume you are referring to Section 20 of the official guide which states "Clubs and Counties shall insist that the first allegiance of their members is to the Association and its Games, and may impose disciplinary measures for breaches of this Rule". This does not refer specifically to Gaelic Football. There was no attempt in Fintona to adopt a disciplinary policy or to discipline those who allegedly were not giving their first allegiance to the Association.

ednasop (Tyrone) - Posts: 50 - 21/01/2009 19:41:15    186412

To be perfectly honest I believe that this entire debate is pointless.I sympathise totally with the plight of Ednasop. A man who devoted endless time and energy to Fintona Pearses and was cast aside by the top table. The reality of the situation is that the issues have been expanded unnecessarily.The issue, to my mind is simple, did Fintona Pearses contact potential management candidates and advise them that any player who plays soccer will not be considered for any adult team in the coming year. i.e. was there a ban on soccer players imposed or not. The relevant persons have refused to clarify the position and whether this ban was put in place and whether these alleged conversations with management candidates actually happened. It is because of this "bury our head in the sand" attitude and denial of the situation by the committee that the issue has been allowed to fester and multiply, to a stage when it has become a cancer within our club. Why if the committee were big enough to make this decision can they not simply clarify the position instead of meeting any point raised on the issue with "no comment" or "there is no policy". Certain people on this message board have sought to commend the committee for their stance. Therein lies my point exactly, what is the committee stance and why can they not let everyone know what it is instead of dealing with all matters in an underhand fashion.

whatsthepoint (Tyrone) - Posts: 2 - 22/01/2009 12:40:53    186921

The fact that the problem has been allowed to worsen has given anyone within the club who has any grievance the chance to come on board. Obviously there are several issues within the club which are unsatisfactory but people have sat idly by and allowed this to happen. Members complain about select committee meetings in the kitchen of a local pub, players drinking before games, lack of committment across the board, lack of care for players, i could go on. These issues are for another day. All the interested parties in this debate want to know, as i have already said, is was the decision taken or not? Simple as that. In regard to the effect that this has had on our club, it must be seen to be believed. Members can say that the club is stronger, players have been galvanised, talk about proposed second pitch and so on but the reality is completely different. I will say though that it seems the players who are still with the club are putting in more effort, whether this is because they wish to prove certain persons wrong or not I dont know. But this club and our town is completely divided. It is difficult to see how the club can maintain there stance as we progress to the future. The players simply do not exist. Our senior team is riddled with players who are borderline retired and this is surely not the way forward. Our youth teams are plying their trade in the lowest divisions in the County. Where do the club expect the new generation to come from and further growing up listening to this poison is no encouragement to our youth. What is to happen if some of our bright young stars choose to play soccer also, are they also to be cast aside. It is not only players who have been alienated but some of our most avid supporters. This is surely a worry for the committee as they will seek the help of their members to expand the facilities. To my mind, the days of grant aid are certainly over until after the 2012 olympics and whether our club would now even qualify amidst the current debacle is questionable. I would anticipate objections aplenty were our club to seek grant aid and it would seem that they may be sustainable objections in the current climate. Anyway, Ive said my piece. It is a most unfortunate and largely avoidable situation we now find ourselves in. I just hope that those in powerful positions in our committee dont look back in years to come and regret the decisions they have made.

whatsthepoint (Tyrone) - Posts: 2 - 22/01/2009 12:41:14    186922

I myself have had no encounters, but som of my friends have!the soccer and gaelic are having 2much disputes. Has anymor playersleft this yr bcaus of soccer?

fintona (Tyrone) - Posts: 55 - 23/01/2009 17:44:18    188256

Voila! I think whatsthepoint has hit the nail on the head, or indeed several nails on several heads. I can assure him that it is in fact the case that management candidates were informed of the policy. I have spoken to two of the candidates, and they confirmed it for me. The problem is not about soccer it goes much deeper than this. Why is there not the support for the GAA here that there is in other comparable areas? Why did we have so much trouble selling the club history? Why have Fintona Pearses not won a championship since 1978 despite being in five finals? One only has to compare the club with our neighbours in Trillick and Dromore to see the contrast. While awards have not been won on the fields of play many awards have been won off it. The club needs to invest time and money on coaching not just the underage teams but also for the senior teams. It does not take an expert to work out where the problems are on the field. Many of these problems can be coached out. But how many people from the club will be attending the coaching courses the Tyrone County Board and the Ulster Council are providing? The club needs to mend some fences and try to encourage people to return. As part of the grant application myself and some other committed Gaels drew up a Club Development Plan which will help to guide the club for the next ten years. If the club is to adopt these proposals many tough and unpalatable decisions will have to be taken. All this will require leadership and vision from the GAA in Fintona, I am not sure they are up for it at the moment?

ednasop (Tyrone) - Posts: 50 - 23/01/2009 21:38:57    188404

Certain senior members of the Fintona club have been responsible for alienating players for years. I remember when I was playing juvenile football for the club two of my friends were harangued by the club chairman who lambasted them for having the audacity to play golf and thus missing a training session. These boys were representing their club and their county in a Golf Match! They left that day and never returned. I often wonder how many others have had similar experiences?

Fionntamhnach (Fermanagh) - Posts: 16 - 23/01/2009 22:07:33    188420

Edenasop,
So what is Fintona's first allegiance, when it comes to gaelic games. Is it not football. I would say your club are in order with what they have done.

houserules (Donegal) - Posts: 165 - 26/01/2009 21:23:26    190176

Houserules I am no longer sure what their first allegiance is? (too many secret meetings!) The first Gaelic team to be formed here in 1907 was actually a Camogie team. Perhaps that is where ther first allegiance should be. How can they possibly be in order when they have completely ignored the rules set out in the constitution? They have ruled motions out of order in clear contradiction of the constitution. Their policy (which by the way they still deny exists!) has split up some life long friendships. And still they refuse to even acknowledge that a problem exists. You seem to know a lot about the club; perhaps you can tell me what happened here in 1916 which split the GAA here for generations? It seems to be happening again!

ednasop (Tyrone) - Posts: 50 - 26/01/2009 22:11:28    190262

hi everyone in fintona - see in tyrone herald reports of aaron monaghan and ronan mc crory performing for ballygawley fc (soccer that is). I wonder does the committee of errigal ciaran have a problem with that or is it only a fintona thing!!!!

thecuckoo (Tyrone) - Posts: 28 - 27/01/2009 15:49:24    190995

From where I'm looking at it it seems that certain dinosaurs in the club are dictating terms to the rest. Case of cutting off their nose to spite their face.Maybe they're content to host the odd championship game and let the team fester in Div 3. Time to get out of the dark ages and grasp reality. Was at the Fintona Brackaville game last season and there was no fewer than 8 first team members standing in crowd watching the game. Needless to say, Fintona lost.

RichardCranium (Tyrone) - Posts: 262 - 27/01/2009 20:55:43    191357

Has this issue been resolved? I have not been in Fintona for a few weeks now? I think RichardCranium seems to have got it right. Fintona put a lot of effort into hosting Championship games and they did it very well. Perhaps if they put the same effort into other areas of the club it might pay divdends on the field. I believe Mc Carron has already started training with the Enniskillen Gaels.

Fionntamhnach (Fermanagh) - Posts: 16 - 30/01/2009 17:17:16    194462

can any1 tell me were you can watch the tyrone match.apparantly you cant watch it in the north becos setanta ireland doesnt work up here.

swift09 (Tyrone) - Posts: 7 - 30/01/2009 17:39:40    194471

I used to enjoy this thread but it seems to have ended. I am reliably informed that all players were told to stop posting messages of support for the pearses. That suggests that not only is there no democracy in Fintona but there's also censorship. There's no point in continuing an argument which only has one side I suppose!!!!!

thecuckoo (Tyrone) - Posts: 28 - 06/02/2009 11:10:18    199929

Yes democracy was laid to rest in Fintona some time ago, certain members of the GAA in Fintona failed to mourn its passing. It had been in failing health for some time. There were very few major decisions made by the club executive in the last three years. Discussion on policy issues at the AGM has been absent for some time now. Despite the best care and attention from some members they were unable to defend democracy, from the fatal blows which struck it down. The local curate was present at its passing and he administered the last rites to the fatally wounded notion that is democracy. The top table has prohibited discussion on soccer at executive meetings for over a year now. When people tried to mention the issue at the AGM the motion was dubiously ruled out of order. When some members tried to provoke discussion they were prevented from doing so. Their attitude to free speech and democracy makes the record of China look good in comparison. Some members of the club treat the clubs' constitution like the DUP Bible (they take out the bits they do not like!). I certainly hope a few more of them see the light soon before they manage to destroy the club to which so many of us have devoted our time, money and energy over the years.

ednasop (Tyrone) - Posts: 50 - 06/02/2009 19:52:12    200488

i think that it is an absolute disgrace the way the fintona committee is behaving. the whole of tyrone should be in uproar of whats happening at this club. just because you play another sport does not mean your not committed to your club. seen kyle coney playing soccer recently. fintona's true gaels should get together and out this terrible regime. you have support from the hill

HILLBOYS (Tyrone) - Posts: 44 - 09/02/2009 16:23:21    202026

If there's an effort being made to form a breakaway club in fintona and the pearses club is allegedly acting out of constitution as has been well documented in the local and national press, can anyone in the know please tell us why the county board have not got involved? Are we looking at the Glencull scenario of 25 years ago?
Might not be a bad thing - glencull gave us one of the greatest players of all time and one of the greatest managers of all time!!!!

thecuckoo (Tyrone) - Posts: 28 - 18/02/2009 15:35:47    210897