THE LONGFORD SOCCER club who were behind the hosting of a Jamie Carragher soccer school last August, have hit out at the GAA’s decision to fine Dromard GAA club for staging the event.
It was confirmed last week that Dromard had been slapped with a €2,000 fine for hosting the event on their club grounds.
The GAA’s Central Hearings Committee found the Longford club guilty of breaching Rule 5.1 (a) of the official guide, which deals with the use of property owned by or under the control of units of the association.
The Jamie Carragher soccer school was held on the club’s 3G pitch last summer and there has been huge criticism of the GAA’s decision to fine.
In statement to local newspaper The Longford Leader, UCL Harps – whose players hail from Longford, Leitrim and Cavan – expressed ‘their disappointment’ at the fine being handed out.
They also praised the ‘support and help’ of Dromard in helping them stage the event.
The statement reads:
“UCL Harps would like to express their disappointment at the €2000 fine imposed on Dromard GAA.
“This is especially disappointing as the majority of UCL players also play GAA with their local clubs, with some playing underage at county level for Longford, Leitrim and Cavan.
“The 23 Foundation founded by Jamie Carragher is a charitable organisation to help raise much needed funds for deprived children.
“The Soccer School was an overwhelming success, with children of many abilities from all over Ireland taking part, and none of this would have been possible without the support and help of Dromard GAA club.”
