Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan pictured in Newry. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
A motion removing the seven day restriction regarding players featuring in both inter-county Senior and U20 Championship fixtures, replacing it with a 60 hour restriction was passed, at GAA Annual Congress in Newry.
The rule applied for Tier One hurling and Tier One and Two Football Championships, but the 60 hour restriction will now apply to all Tiers.
Following a debate 71.5 per cent of delegates voted in favour of the Cork motion. Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan outlined the reasons why the motion was brought to Congress.
It received support from Leitrim secretary Declan Bohan, who 'agreed with the 60 hour window'.
Offaly chairperson Michael Duignan added that the '60 hour rule brings clarity', while strongly supporting the motion.
Former GAA President Seán Kelly also spoke in favour of the proposal. "The 60 hour rule shows a duty of care to the players. This offers a practical solution to a difficult problem."
GPA CEO Tom Parsons said: "We'd also like to support the motion. We need to address competition load. Our most talented players have a huge load with the competitions. I'm asking Congress and the delegates to really look at motions at addressing player load and burnout."
Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty expressed some concerns about the motion. "I think the motion addresses a problem we had in the past," he said.
"With the round robin format every U20 player will get a chance to play at that level. I think we should give careful consideration to postponing this motion until we have a better solution."