Many motions passed at well-attended meeting
Wednesday March 10 2010
THE RACKARD League held its A.G.M., which was very well attended, in the Stanville Lodge on Monday of last week. A number of motions were carried, while some others were given a trial period of two years.
The continued growth of girls' football was underlined by the restructuring of Roinn C into a District-based system.
Also passed was the introduction of a penalty to boys' football for a foul on a player in the small square. This does not apply for a technical foul, i.e. picking the ball off the ground.
The criteria for picking children for Croke Park mini sevens games has also been overhauled. The following now apply: no school may have more than one player; any school that has a player selected in a code may not have a player selected the following year; a skills competition will also be used to select players.
Among the motions that will be given a two-year trial period were a continuation of the yellow card sin bin. In the Rackard League, a substitute can be brought on for the binned player (ten minutes).
The re-starting of a boys' game after an injury was also renewed whereby the team in possession re-starts the match with the ball (the same rule applies in girls' football). It was noted that some referees are not aware of these rules and the committee will notify them of these changes.
Also passed for a period of two years was that individual schools may enter teams in Rackard League competitions if no objection is made by the other schools in the parish.
In line with the National Strategic Plan, the Rackard League endorses the recommendations for increased participation of pupils. However, it was referred to the next committee meeting to see how best to achieve this hand in hand with running competitive competitions.
It was also agreed to introduce a cross-country running event during December, and it was recommended that Rackard League matches be played in the afternoon rather than in the evening whenever possible.
The following officers were elected: President, Tomás Keegan; Vice-Presidents, Joe Caulfield, Mick Dee, Breda Flood, Breda Jacob, Seamus O'Brien, Fintan Whyte; Cathaoirleach, Dan O'Flaherty; Leas Cathaoirleach, Marjorie McDonald; Secretary, Jim Dempsey; Assistant Secretary, Nicky Flynn; Treasurer, John Brennan; Registrar, Tom Foran; P.R.O., Seamus Kavanagh; Development Officer, John Ormonde; camogie Secretary, Marie Butler; girls' football Secretary, Ann Marie Hearne; rounders, Eamonn Barrett; athletics, Dan O'Flaherty and Pádraig McMahon; handball, Colm Ó Tiarnaigh; County Board rep., Kevin Waters; Coiste na nÓg rep., Eoin Ó Donnagáin; Wexford District Secretary, Peadar Moran; Wexford District rep., Fintan Whyte; New Ross District Secretary, Áine Kennedy; New Ross District rep., Niamh Lacey; Gorey District Secretary, Seán Whelan; Gorey District rep., Dorothy Kenny; Enniscorthy District Secretary, John Joe Fitzgerald; Enniscorthy District rep., John Colloton; Appeals committee: Eamonn Kinsella, Liam Turner, Johnny Murphy, Seán Ó Dubhlaing, Maggie Brennan.
