LAST UPDATE | 22 Oct 2021
MAYO AND DONEGAL have become the latest counties to announce they will vote against Proposal B at tomorrow’s Special Congress in Croke Park.
The Mayo county board confirmed the clubs mandated their four delegates to vote against Motion 18 (redrawn provincial championships, also known as Proposal A) and Motion 19 (the league-based championship – Proposal B) this weekend.
The move isn’t a surprise given that senior football boss James Horan voiced his opposition to Proposal B last week.
Meanwhile the Donegal county executive released a letter to clubs informing them of their decision: “The committee fully recognise and accept that change to the championship structures is required but are overwhelmingly agreed that neither Proposal A or Proposal B will deliver a fair and equitable change for all counties plus London and New York.
“We also cannot support any notion of amendments or tweaks being made to either proposal either on Saturday or subsequent to either of them being passed with a 60% majority.
“It is the firm position of Coiste Bainistiochta Dhun na nGall that updated and fresh proposals should be on the Clár of Congress 2022 in February that will deliver the championship structure all counties desire and will serve the Association well for many years into the future.”
Fermanagh, Derry, Armagh and Galway have already declared their opposition to the radical reform of the football championship.
The main objection centres around the sixth placed team in Division 1 not progressing to the knock-out stages of the All-Ireland, in addition to Ulster opposition to the devalued provincial championships.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, president Larry McCarthy said that the GAA are open to tweaking the format after the first year, but the structure is “set in stone” for 2022 should it be passed at Special Congress.
60% support is required for either motion to come into effect next season.
Other Connacht counties Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim are in favour of Proposal B, while most Leinster counties have also shown their support for it. Down are likely to be the sole Ulster county to vote for it.
In Munster, Clare, Tipperary and Cork are backing Proposal B.
Kerry, Limerick and Laois delegates have free rein to vote on the day, though the latter two are expected to side with Proposal B.
Interestingly, Clare manager Colm Collins will attend Special Congress as a delegate and is expected to speak in favour of the motion on the day.
Of the 183 total votes, the overseas bodies have 38 delegates (including Central Council). For Proposal B to be successful it will require a large vote from overseas, though many foreign units are expected to follow the lead of GAA hierarchy.
Finally, Central Council will have a major say. Those 15 delegates include the management committee, past presidents and representation from the GPA, primary schools, post-primary schools, third level and handball committees.
McCarthy and director-general Tom Ryan have confirmed that Proposal B is their preferred choice. Ryan does not have a vote in the matter and the four provincial chairmen are expected to be in favour of the status quo.
The vote is expected to go close with overseas units and those still undecided likely to be the difference if Motion 19 is successful.
Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella, and Gavan Casey discuss Ireland’s squad, women’s rugby reviews, and the Tadhg Beirne incident on The42 Rugby Weekly:
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