Meath Athletics to propose ‘Island of Ireland’ motion
This year at the Congress of the Athletic Association of Ireland, Meath Athletics will put forward a motion to the delegates that will allow athletes selected by Athletics Ireland to represent the "Island of Ireland" rather than the Republic of Ireland, writes Tom Gannon.
The motion that was passed at the Meath Athletics AGM at the end of last year details, that if successful, the Board of Athletics Ireland will work in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to obtain a derogation so that the Island of Ireland athletes can compete in all competition under the auspices of World Athletics. The stakeholders that will be involved in this process will include Athletics Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Athletics, World Athletics, Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland.
One man who is very much at the forefront of this project and has been campaigning for it for quite some time is St Brigid's AC's Michael Heery. Speaking to the Meath Chronicle, the Oldcastle native detailed how Athletics Ireland feels that Athletes from Northern Ireland deserve the opportunity to represent their area while simultaneously running for Ireland.
"The athletes in Northern Ireland have a choice as to whether to represent the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain and Northern Ireland. At the moment, all of the athletes from the area have declared for the Republic of Ireland. They are running for the Republic of Ireland and they are not running for their own part of the country. We think that it's important to the athletes that they represent their own area as well"
Heery detailed how even if the motion is successful, the process may take some time to take effect, however, he does feel that this is something that needs to happen.
"If we get the motion passed at Congress, it is then up to the board of Athletics Ireland to negotiate with Athletics Northern Ireland, UK Athletics and World Athletics. It might take time but with the number of athletes from Ulster declaring for Ireland, we feel that this is something that needs to happen"
Heery explained that this process needed a county board to put forward the motion and that is what Meath Athletics role will be at the Congress in April.
"Meath Athletics are certainly at the forefront of this motion but that is the way that it needs to be done. A county board needs to put in the motion for Congress.
“It can't be submitted by individuals or by clubs, and at the Meath convention at the end of last year, this motion was proposed, seconded, and passed unanimously." said Heery
"At the Leinster convention a few weeks ago, we handed out copies of the motion at the end of the meeting.
“It's up to those voting to read it and the delegates can make up their own minds on it, but we are here to help regarding any questions to what we are proposing".