We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Sport and GAA fixtures

Summary

Senator Ahearn argued that sport can help communities recover from Covid-19 and welcomed funding for clubs and inter-county championships. The Chair then noted fixture issues were outside Seanad remit, while Senator Mullen made a brief aside.

I would like to discuss sport. Does the Deputy Leader agree that sport can play a huge part in helping communities and organisations throughout the country to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic in the coming months and years? Does the Deputy Leader agree that the €70 million that was ring-fenced for support for all sports clubs throughout the country during the summer months was very welcome? I note also that the €20 million that was announced several weeks ago to make sure the inter-county championships go ahead was hugely welcome throughout the country.

It is important that we support every section of our local clubs, including male and female teams. They are a great source of community activity. While I am talking about sports clubs, I wish the Cahir GAA Ladies Football Club well in the county final. The team has had a difficult week. Cahir GAA has qualified for two county finals, namely, junior A camogie and senior football. They are being held within 24 hours of each other. The team has had to take the difficult decision to allow a walkover in the junior A camogie final because it has 15 players who play on both teams. When a team as successful as Cahir GAA qualifies for two finals in the same weekend it seems crazy that something cannot be done to facilitate it. If something can be done at this late stage I call on the powers that be to facilitate it. I wish the team well. I ask the Leader to call the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport before the House to outline his vision for the future of sport in the coming years.

Comment on this

That sounds like a First World problem.

Comment on this
Mark Daly An Cathaoirleach

I join the Senator in wishing the team the best of luck. I do not think the matter of GAA fixtures comes under the remit of Seanad Éireann. However, having been the chairman of a GAA team with dual fixture problems, I take the Senator's point.

Comment on this