CCCC A player's desire to perform at the highest level ran contrary to the GAA's ethos

CCCC A player's desire to perform at the highest level ran contrary to the GAA's ethos 17  May 2012

Seanie Johnston, probably the most recognisable name in Cavan football for quite some time but deemed surplus to requirements this year, wanted to prove that he was now living in Straffan so as to assist a transfer move which would make him eligible to play for Kildare.

Ultimately, the CCCC   rejected Johnston's request for a transfer, explaining that the decision was "primarily on the basis that permanent residence at Straffan Gate had not been established to the satisfaction of the committee."

In their written decision, which has been seen by the Irish Independent, CCCC queries were raised about the ethical basis for Johnston's transfer request.

"Concerns were expressed that even had permanent residency been satisfactorily demonstrated, the primary, if not sole, purpose of this residency appeared from the evidence gathered to be to enable the player to play inter-county football with a county to which he could claim no obvious allegiance.

"This, in the opinion of the committee, was in itself, contrary to the Association's ethos as outlined in rule."

There is no specific definition of 'permanent residency' in the GAA's Official Guide, so CCCC used criteria applied "by other establishments and financial institutions, as well as oral evidence".

In Johnston's case, they had a lease agreement for an address in Straffan and correspondence between the player and Airtricity. However, according to the minutes of their meeting, CCCC didn't regard that as sufficient.

"It was noted that a lease is not generally accepted as proof of residency; it was also noted that the email showing new ownership of the gas and electricity supply for the address in question should be considered for what it's worth but that little else of substance had been produced to support the residency claim.

"From research, it was pointed out that other items that might have been produced, and are generally acceptable, included bank or financial statements, household insurance policies, vehicle insurance policies, revenue commissioners' documents etc," noted the CCCC findings.

The CCCC ruled that the documentation provided to support Johnston's claims that he was permanently resident in Straffan weren't adequate. However, it's their contention that the application was contrary to the Association's ethos, which requires greater clarification.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/the-inside-story-how-seanie-johnstons-transfer-bid-was-rejected-3067141.html