Seneschalstown opposition to new format unsuccessful

Seneschalstown GAA club submitted a motion at tonight's Co Board meeting in Dunganny to rescind the decision to change the formats of the JFC and Junior B competitions at the January meeting.

'We feel that the new regulations which change the Junior and Junior B Championships should not be implemented in 2017,' commented Ian Maguire of the Seneschalstown club.

'The current relegation process ensures that the bottom three teams have an opportunity to prove they should stay in the applicable championship grade,' he added.

There was support for Seneschalstown's proposal from Pat O'Reilly of Simonstown Gaels and Joe O'Brien of Skryne. The Simonstown delegate also queried if the matter should be referred to Leinster Council for ratification.

Moynalty delegate Brendan Lynch and Jim Condra of the proposing Kilmainhamwood club briefly outlined the resons for his club's proposal and he urged the delegates to give the new format a trial for a one-year period.

Brendan Cummins also opposed the proposal from Seneschalstown and urged the delegates to give the new format a trial.

Paddy Ward of the Dunshaughlin club spoke in favour of the Seneschalstown proposal and against the motion that was passed at the January meeting.

'We should have a review committee to look at the structures of the championship,' stated the Dunshaughlin delegate.

St Brigid's delegate Michael Heery outlined the reasons for his club's support for the change in format and urged the delegates to let the decision stand.

'I thought we might have learned from last year and once a decision is made that we stand by ity, unlike what we did 12 months ago,' he said.

The delegates voted on the Seneschalstown proposal with a two-thirds majority of 67 voting it needed 45 votes to succeed but it only received 11 in favour and the motion was lost.