Axing McKenna Cup was 'short-sighted' says Armitage

Fermanagh GAA County Board Chairman Brian Armitage has criticised the decision of the Central Council of the GAA to axe the highly popular Dr. McKenna Cup competition.

And he blasted those keyboard warriors who abuse GAA volunteers, as referenced in PRO Deirdre Felloni's report and told delegates that their actions would not be tolerated.

In a wide-ranging address to delegates at the annual convention in the South West College, Armitage branded the decision to get rid of the long-running Dr. McKenna Cup competition as “short-sighted”.

“It has meant that the opportunity for counties to try out new players in competitive matches before the NFL begins has been removed.

“It also would have been the ideal competition to trial the new rules and as in previous years, there was also an opportunity to provide new up-and-coming referees with meaningful games.”

Referencing Mrs. Felloni’s remarks about the increase in abusive comments, Armitage said: “One point I have noted in Deirdre’s report is the increase of abusive comments online and face-to-face directed at many of our volunteers.

“This is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Clubs are responsible for the actions of their members and should do all within their power to discourage such behaviour.”

On a more positive note, the Chairman said that in his third year in office, he had once again witnessed the outstanding commitment that the clubs in the county have given to the promotion of our game.

“The recent independent report published by Hallam University, Sheffield found that the social value of Gaelic Games is estimated to be worth €2.87 billion to Irish society.

“You, the clubs without exception, are the backbone of your communities and as such form an integral part of Irish society and one that we can all be proud of.”

And the Chairman had a special word of congratulations to the Fermanagh senior hurlers on winning the Lory Meagher Cup in Croke Park describing it as a tremendous achievement and a just reward for all the hard work and dedication during the year by management and players.

In a year when finances in Fermanagh were understandably not as buoyant as last year when the profit from the sale of a house boosted the Erne county’s coffers by almost £300,000, Armitage paid tribute to Club Éirne and its dynamic chief Gerard Treacy.

“The continued dedication of Club Éirne in providing funding for Fermanagh GAA is without doubt a key component in the financial well-being of the county.

“A huge thanks and debt of gratitude is owed to the committee under the expert guidance of Gerard Treacy.

And he paid a special tribute to long-standing County Board Treasurer Sean Burns who is in his seventh year in office.

“I really don’t know how he does it. His ability to carry out the duties of county treasurer as well as all his other roles within his club and his community is amazing.

“The treasurer’s role is indeed the most strenuous of all the officer’s roles and it takes someone with a special talent to fulfil the role.

“The amount of correspondence and requests the treasurer gets from Croke Park is unbelievable.”

Armitage also thanked all who submitted reports for their efforts.