Mike Finnerty
THE decision by RTÉ not to take the time to read out the ‘Champions 15’ hurling team winners at the recent live TV broadcast of the All-Stars awards was described as ‘just not right’ by one club delegate at last week’s online County Board meeting.
Johnnie O’Malley of Ardnaree Sarsfields raised the matter during a ‘hurling update’.
“It’s like everything, whatever level the competition is, it’s important to the people who achieved those awards because they are regarded as the best in their group,” he said.
“It’s not in line with GAA thinking that that should have happened.”
Mayo hurlers Cathal Freeman and Shane Boland were both chosen on the ‘Champions 15’ team in recognition of their performances in last year’s Nicky Rackard Cup campaign.
In response to Mr O’Malley’s comments, Mayo GAA chairman, Liam Moffatt said: “What we can control is Mayo County Board’s response, and the Mayo County Board thanked each of the award winner’s individually, both in football and hurling.
“In relation to the ‘Champions 15’ award winners, Cathal Freeman and Shane Boland, they did receive an individual congratulations from Mayo County Board and, in fairness to both of them, they replied to it.
“It’s a valid point, Johnny, I’m glad you raised it. But from Mayo County Board’s perspective, we certainly acknowledge the success of all All-Star winners and we communicated that to them in writing.”
Johnnie O’Malley then proposed that the Mayo GAA Board would write a letter to both RTÉ and GAA officials at Croke Park to ‘re-emphasise the points so that it doesn’t happen again’. “It’s just not right,” he said.
Liam Moffatt replied that he ‘agreed with’ Mr O’Malley’s point and he suggested that Board PRO John Walker would raise the matter with the GAA’s Head of Communications, Alan Milton.
