GAA gear up for record crowd
With the issue of the Gaelic Park softball diamond favorably resolved, as reported in the Irish Echo last week, the leaders of the New York GAA can now turn their full attention to the biggest month in the organization’s history.
At last Thursday’s meeting at Gaelic Park, Association President Monty Maloney called for all officers to attend a special Monday night meeting. Items on the agenda were to have included the possibility of extra seating for Gaelic Park. Maloney expects a minimum of 4,000 fans, far exceeding the stadium’s 2,000-seat capacity.
Also raised on Thursday was the possibility of erecting a black curtain to discourage the so-called knothole gang from dodging the admission gate. The diamond will have to be sodded after all the talk and Gaelic Park will be in for a good scrubbing.
Not all of the clean-up will be as visibly apparent. Maloney strongly cautioned all clubs to abide by the player transfer and sanctioning rules. With all eyes on the New York GAA, the president vowed, “We are not going to look bad in Ireland.” Maloney laid it on the line for the delegates. Any team caught flouting the rules will be suspended for the remainder of the season, with no exceptions. “We will not look crooked again,” Maloney said before concluding, “You will be out.”
The president had some good news for the members on the Randalls Island development. Maloney revealed that he had received an encouraging call from Mayor Bloomberg’s office. On the basis of that call, Maloney “hopes to be signing by August.”
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Website on tap
Recording secretary Liam Bermingham announced that the New York GAA. will soon be stepping firmly into the 21st century. The organization’s long-awaited website will be up and running “in the next two weeks,” promised Bermingham.
Suspension
The association dealt firmly with a junior footballer who marred Tyrone’s dramatic victory over Donegal in last Sunday’s post-game melee. The Tyrone club revoked the player’s Tyrone membership and tacked on a five-year suspension.
The New York GAA’s public relations officer, John Moore, was apparently attacked in the Tyrone dressing room and the Tyrone club apologized for causing any embarrassment to the organization. Moore appeared to be unhurt.
President Maloney thanked Tyrone for their swift action and said that “this individual will be barred from the park for two years.” Maloney went on: “If he comes in, he’ll be arrested. There will be no forgiveness on this.”