GAA and Handball on collision course over centre

thirdmantackle

GAA and Handball on collision course over centre
Monday, June 20, 2005

Ceannaras Handball Centre in Croke Park was overflowing with only standing room available for the large audience that attended the meeting on Thursday June 16th last, writes Michael McGee.

Vinny Farrelly, Chairman of the Dublin Handball Board, spoke and welcomed everyone to the meeting. A number of local Politicians were in attendance notably Tony Gregory TD, Joe Costello TD, Pascal Donoghue Fine Gael, Noel Ring Fianna Fail and Johnny Scully.

Farrelly said it was impossible to negotiate with the GAA after they sent a letter to the offices of the Irish Handball Council giving notice of possession within a month. The notice also flies in the face with comments made in the national press to the effect that the loss of the bar licence in Croke Park Handball Centre would in no way adversely affect the future of handball there. Farrelly was vocal when he said the G.A.A stabbed the handball authorities in the back. "We know exactly the intention of the GAA totally and fully to take the centre off us."

Dorothy Collins, Barrister for the Handball Centre campaign, said "they have a strong case and will be working hard to get a sporting 35-year lease on the premises."

Tony Fay, Solicitor, added "it was wrong for the GAA to be trying to take away one of the few facilities in the area. He went through all the documentation to obtain a long-term lease. We must "keep the gun powder dry" and "look to the courts to put matters right," said Fay who is working very hard on the legal side of things. Vinny Farrelly continued with his speech and claimed it was an absolute mammoth mistake by the G.A.A.

Farrelly is very optimistic about taking on the GAA legally and beating them in the courts. The Dublin Chairman said he would fight tooth and nail to keep the centre open. Within a week and a half into the campaign 50,000 euros had been raised for future legal requirements. "Whatever it takes, we will do it," announced Farrelly.

"PCT have stated that their concerns regarding the handball centre are safety related and yet they have consistently refused to offer financial assistance to use the Sports Council grant to make the facility safe. Once we get the lease, we will not be put out. We need the community to stick together. G.A.A are a massive organisation with a cosy relationship with the media."
Farrelly reiterated about keeping the powder dry and ended by saying "we are going on the warpath."

Eamon O’ Brien, a former Chairman of the Dublin Handball Board for sixteen years, addressed the meeting and said "the organisation got 110 million euro off the Government and now are sticking their fingers up to the community. It is so wrong what the GAA are doing, it beggars belief. On other issues like the U2 tickets, the GAA treated the community with contempt."

O’ Brien said that time for dublicity is gone. "We will teach the GAA who are the fools. No matter what it takes sweat, tears we will get possession of the Centre."

O’ Brien stressed the need for more funding with more fundraising initiatives soon getting off the ground. Noel Ring of Fianna Fail spoke personally to An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in whose constituency the stalemate has taken place. Bertie Ahern is working hard behind the scenes and is optimistic that the Handball centre will get its 35-year lease.

Tony Gregory then spoke and congratulated Eamon and Vinny and the local community for working very hard on this issue otherwise the GAA would have simply taken over. Gregory went further and said "we all know what the GAA are looking to do is to flatten the centre. The GAA strategy has gone down the chute." Gregory, who has attended all meetings, gave his full backing and will continue to support the campaign to keep the centre in community hands.

O’Brien read out a letter written to the Taoiseach by young Kevin Doherty of his disquiet with the GAA for their lack of respect for children, senior citizens and sports people who use the handball centre. Neville Farrelly gave a heart-felt speech to the meeting and said "it was a disgrace what the GAA are doing by putting the people out in the manner they are going about. There is a great deal of anger." Farrelly was critical of the G.A.A opening up its Hotel. "How many of the locals will get jobs in there, they will be lucky to get in the front door," he asked.

Farrelly passionately wants the situation to be put right once and for all. Vinny Farrelly added "Ceannaras are going to apply for the bar licence and when we get the lease for thirty five years we will have absolute right to draw down the lottery funding of 150,000 euros." Pascal Donoghue Fine Gael said he "will work with the locals to get a solution and will ask politicians to do all they can." Joe Costello, who was at an earlier meeting, fully supported the actions being taken.