Unlucky thirteen suspensions in Killimer-Shannon Gaels saga

When permission was given to a number of Killimer footballers to transfer to neighbours Shannon Gaels, five years ago after the Killimer club withdrew from adult competition due to a shortage of numbers, nobody could even contemplate it would lead to a rash of suspensions.

Last year, after four years away from adult competition, Killimer re-entered, creating a certain amount of tension all year between the clubs. Some of those who transferred to Shannon Gaels weren’t prepared to return to their native club which, it is argued, was the ruling made at the time Killimer withdrew from competition.

 

During the year, a county board meeting agreed to ask Croke Park to investigate the position and this was supported by delegates representing both clubs on the night.

The investigating committee – Pat Teehan, Offaly County Board chairman; Seamus O’Faolain, former chairman of Westmeath GAA and Gerry Farrell, former chairman of Galway GAA – met with representatives of both clubs before coming up with their findings.

They recommended 12-week suspensions for 11 players – all from Killimer – who had played with Shannon Gaels during the period that Killimer didn’t have an adult team and for the chairman (Eamonn Keane) and secretary (David O’Connell) of Shannon Gaels.

The suspensions for the players were dated from when each played their last game while the Gaels officials were suspended from the date of the meeting in November.

It is understood that the investigating committee noted that “nobody intentionally infringed any rules and it would be extremely harsh to suspend anybody other than for a minimal period”.

Two players and Shannon Gaels secretary David O’Connell sought a hearing and their request was granted. The hearing was scheduled for Clareabbey but none attended. Sources close to the three are adamant that they did officially send notification that they would not be proceeding but the hearings committee travelled from various parts of the country to meet those involved.

Two of those suspended, Alan Behan, a player from Killimer, who played with the Gaels this year, and Gaels chairman Eamonn Keane made a case to the re-instatements committee (Central Appeals Committee) and were re-instated last Saturday.

It is further understood that the investigating committee have found that all 11 players are Killimer club members. However, some have indicated that they will not play with Killimer and will be seeking transfers.

Currently the only people under suspension are Sean Reynolds and Declan Pyne – three months have not elapsed since they last played – and Gaels secretary David O’Connell.

Back in early 2007, the Killimer club, with the assistance of Clare County Board, received permission from Croke Park to allow all adult players who wished to transfer fully to Shannon Gaels to play adult football as Gaels players for a two-year period. At the end of the two years Killimer were still not in a position to field an adult team and the “arrangement” was given permission to continue for a further two years by the Clare County Board.

Subsequently Killimer players not specifically named in the original transfer agreement – underage prior to 2008 and adult by 2010 – played with the Gaels on adult teams.

In 2012 Killimer felt they could independently field in adult competition and decided to do so.

However, a number of the players who had originally transferred to Shannon Gaels said they wanted to remain with the Gaels. A number of options were discussed by representatives of both clubs but agreement wasn’t reached and this led to the Croke Park investigation taking place which resulted in the recent findings.

Shannon Gaels have made two attempts to hold their annual general meeting but efforts to fill some key positions have led to both being deferred.