GAA president John Horan insists he has no fears for tiers – after the GAA strongly voted to introduce a two tiered football championship from 2020.
Just over 75 per cent of delegates at Special Congress in Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday backed the creation of a tier two competition – which will be comprised of Division 3 and 4 teams that fail to contest their respective provincial finals.
Delegates also supported the introduction of three new permanent rules to gaelic football – a ten minute sin-bin, an inside mark and all kickouts to be taken from the 20 metre line.
But there was hardly any debate on those motions, with the proposal on a tier two championship dominating the afternoon’s discussion.
A number of counties – including Antrim, Carlow and Fermanagh – expressed concerns about being cast adrift by what they believed was the creation of further elitism in the GAA by having a tiered structure.
But Horan says the GAA will ensure this secondary competition is organised and promoted properly – and will not be allowed fail as its predecessor did, the Tommy Murphy Cup.
The GAA President said: “We’ve a responsibility to make sure it works because 75 per cent of Congress have asked for it to work, so that responsibility rests with us to deliver it from a marketing and interest point of view.”
The motion, which required 60 per cent majority to pass, comfortably surpassed that threshold with 75.5 per cent of delegates supporting the introduction of a second tier.
With 24.5 per cent of delegates voting against, it meant there were a total of 112 votes registered for and 38 votes against.
