New relegation rules rescinded at special meeting
Meath GAA club delegates convened at Dunganny tonight to consider a motion put forward by the Slane club arising out of discussions at the monthly meeting on Monday 4th March.
However, before the official business of the meeting started there was a tribute to the late Brian Smyth with Brendan Cummins outlining the contribution that Meath's first All-Ireland-winning captain made to the GAA at county, provincial and national levels.
Tributes were also made by Dunboyne GAA club (Tom Dermody) and Meath hurling committee chairman TJ Reilly, former Co Board chairmen Barney Allen and Pat O'Neill and current chairman Conor Tormey.
The motion put forward by the Slane club was the only item on the agenda - That all regulations passed at the meeting on Monday 18th January be rescinded.
All the delegates had to register for the purpose of the vote and 55 delegates were present.
The Slane motion was seconded by Brendan Cummins.
There was an amendment by Dunshaughlin's Paddy Ward who said he was disappointed that the motion was put forward.
“The Co Board set up the committee to discuss this matter and it was well discussed before a decison was made and I would ask all clubs to support the new format and give the changes that were sanctioned a chance,” he commented.
“The standards have dropped in Meath and the changes that were sanctioned here in January would be a step in the right direction.”
The amendment was seconded by Oliver Harrington of Skryne GAA club.
Slane's Peter Mooney urged the delegates to support his club's motion and indicated that this was a matter of survival for the small rural clubs and keeping football alive.
The vote was taken on the amendment and with only 14 in favour and 40 against the amendment failed.
The relegation for 2016 championships will be similar to 2015.