Cork GAA now being Ridden Rock Solid

**Dodge** · 22/06/2007, 8:01 AM

This craze is sweeping the nation

"We believe that there has been a general anti-Cork bias displayed in this matter "

Corkie hurlers in D'Examiner

**razor** · 22/06/2007, 8:15 AM

The GAA are a bit slow getting on this bandwagon but I guess there is a new sense of en vogue about the whole RRS concept.
Better late than never I guess.
Rico actually said recently that that comment was made slightly tongue in cheek. Ooh er missus.

**superfrank** · 22/06/2007, 8:46 AM

I don't see what D�nal �g O'Cusack's complaining for. He gave the Clare lad the jab in the ribs that started it all.

**ollie** · 22/06/2007, 7:43 PM

Frank my boy you're missing the point. They're not complaining about being suspended as such but how Nicky Brennan/GAA/Media handled the situation and the flawed disipline system that exists at the moment.

I think this whole episode is really going to unite this Cork team and fire them on for Liam. Heres Hoping!

**Superhoops** · 22/06/2007, 8:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

"We believe that there has been a general anti-Cork bias displayed in this matter "

Proper order, should be displayed in any matter (of importance or otherwise!)

**superfrank** · 23/06/2007, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by ollie

Frank my boy you're missing the point. They're not complaining about being suspended as such but how Nicky Brennan/GAA/Media handled the situation and the flawed disipline system that exists at the moment.

I know but I think it would be a better PR stunt if the McCarthy or the Cork county board had come out saying this. Imo, it seems like a fit of whinging.

**Ceirtlis** · 23/06/2007, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by ollie

Frank my boy you're missing the point. They're not complaining about being suspended as such but how Nicky Brennan/GAA/Media handled the situation and the flawed disipline system that exists at the moment.

I think this whole episode is really going to unite this Cork team and fire them on for Liam. Heres Hoping!

I dont think it is possible to devise a discipline system that is fair to every one in gaa. People are always going to say "he did that and got away with it, why am i being punished for doing the same thing," but if the gaa were to go pulling everyone for everything that could lead to a suspension there would be anarchy. The Cork players got involved and deserved to be punished full stop no matter what happenced elsewhere that day and dont forgot it was one of the head honchos in Cork GAA who devised this system which is so complicated because players were trying to wrangle their way out of suspensions. As for Clare appealing ffs they are going to miss one game against Antrim. If they cant get through the qualifier group they may as well forget about it.
It is about time the GAA brought in some disrepute charge for comments such as those made by the cork players. GAA teams these days seem to find there only motivation in that they were written off or the media were out to get them.

**R�iteoir** · 25/06/2007, 2:27 PM

Brennan rejects bias claims

Monday, 25 June 2007 14:50

GAA President Nicky Brennan this afternoon rejected claims of an anti-Cork bias or an anti-GPA bias in the GAA before going on to allege that people were 'being paranoid over the issue of discipline.

Brennan made the comments at a media conference in Croke Park today following Saturday's meeting and recommendations of Central Council in relation to discipline.
Brennan said at the media briefing:

'I want to state quite categorically in relation to comments made last week in a press release that there was no GPA bias, no anti-Cork bias and no Frank Murphy bias either.'

Frank Murphy is a Cork GAA official.

Brennan continued: 'People are being paranoid at this situation. I categorically refute that (allegation of bias).
'I also want to say that the charge in relation to the GAA issuing of names of players to the media is completely incorrect as you (the assembled journalists) know yourselves.'

'Our PR section has been extremely careful and we've only issued the briefest details of what had been involved in each stage of the process. So, if the names came they didn't come from this establishment (the GAA) here.'

The Central Council of the GAA met on Saturday to consider the issue of discipline after which it issued a statement detailing new motions designed to tackle the problem.

A number of high profile disciplinary incidents have overshadowed the start of the Championship, notably the 'Semplegate' incident in which hurlers from Cork and Clare were suspended over fighting during the minutes preceding their Guinness Munster Hurling quarter final as well as a number of widely reported disciplinary incidents in club matches around the country.

A statement released on Saturday said that: 'At the outset (of the meeting) it was pointed out that the current disciplinary system has been working effectively.
'This is borne out by the facts that in 125 cases where suspensions were proposed, hearings were requested in only 15 instances.'

The Council did agree a list of motions based on recommendations from the Management Committee.

Key motions are that the Central Competitions Control Committee will no longer make suspensions public until such suspensions are accepted by the parties involved, a clarification of the role of video and the referee in the disciplinary process, that a review group will examine the disciplinary process at the end of the year, and that a Code of Conduct for players and officials will be established at the end of the year.

The statement concluded by confirming that the Cork County Board had accepted the suspensions imposed on players over the 'Semplegate' incident.

The list of agreed motions is as follows:
1. It is agreed by Ard-Chomhairle (Central Council) that no system of discipline can be administered satisfactorily unless there is a universal acceptance that indiscipline cannot be tolerated.
There must be a change of culture and mindset in terms of respect for authority, for the games officials, rules, procedures and structures. Central Council directs all units to ensure that all disciplinary issues within counties are dealt with expeditiously and in accordance with rules.
Provincial Councils have been instructed to hold meetings with their counties to discuss the matters referred to hereunder.

2. It is also acknowledged and recognised that it is a fundamental right of any player/unit to avail fully of the terms and parameters of the disciplinary system from a premise of natural justice and acceptance of the raison d'etre of the system.

3. Ard-Chomhairle directs that a range of initiatives to educate members and the general public on the operation of the disciplinary system take place in the coming weeks.

4. In accordance with the current Rule 144 (e), Ard-Chomhairle directs that the Central Competitions Control Committee may make a written request for clarification from a referee where the Committee is in the course of investigating a possible infraction.
In that context the C.C.C.C. can choose to provide the referee with reliable and unedited video evidence of the possible infraction. In the event that the referee confirms his decision no further action may be taken, but if he states that he did not adjudicate on a particular case or that he did not deal with it appropriately the case may be pursued further.

5. That procedures in relation to an appeal to the Central Appeals Committee are re-affirmed as follows by Ard-Chomhairle. Arrangements for an appeal are only confirmed once an appeal has been received in writing by the Secretary of the C.A.C., an oral hearing has been requested and all the parties to the hearing have been officially notified of arrangements.

6. Ard-Chomhairle reaffirms that any County Committee Official, Team Official(s) or players who make derogatory comments in relation to Games, Officials and Administrators shall be dealt with in accordance with the rules.

7. The Ard-Chomhairle directs that the C.C.C.C. will no longer make notification of proposed suspensions public until the player/unit has accepted the proposed penalty or the matter has been fully dealt with by the C.H.C.

8. Ard-Chomhairle agrees that a group will be asked to review the current disciplinary system at the end of this year.

9. Ard-Chomhairle directs that a Code of Conduct for officials/players at all levels of our Association be established.
The statement concluded by confirming that: "The Cork County Board have accepted the proposals from the C.C.C.C. in relation to Qualifier games for this year's Guinness Hurling Championship."