JARLATH Burns lost out to New York’s Larry McCarthy in Friday night’s Presidential election at the GAA’s Annual Congress in Croke Park.
The Armagh native polled the most first preference votes (80) but Cork-born McCarthy (63 votes in the first round) benefited from more transfers from defeated candidates Gerry O’Sullivan (Cork), Mick Rock (Roscommon) and Jim Bolger (Carlow) to reach the quota on the fourth count. Ultimately he finished on 142 with Burns a close second on 132.
News of the former Armagh captain’s near-miss was greeted with disappointment by family, friends and clubmates from Silverbridge Harps who were crowded outside the Congress hall. Naturally Burns was disappointed too but he paid a generous tribute to McCarthy who will become the first overseas president of the GAA when he takes over from John Horan at next year’s Congress.
“Today is a momentous day when we have finally acknowledged and recognised that we have a very vibrant Association outside of our country,” said the former Armagh captain and midfielder.
“And although I am very disappointed that I came so close to Larry, I am very pleased with the statement that the Association has made today.”
He added: “Coming back over to Ireland every week must have been an incredible commitment and it just showed the passion which Larry has for this Association. I salute that passion and I salute Larry, he has had an outstanding year and he has done so much for the Association down through the years.”
Burns pledged to give McCarthy his support “100 per cent” and added: “I would like to thank my own family for all their help and all the people who supported me and mentored me and advised me. In particular my club who gave me great support.”
Meanwhile, a motion from the Standing Committee on Playing Rules that a team official (specifically the Maor Foirne) should not be allowed to enter the field of play was defeated by one per cent (59 per cent in favour, 41 per cent against).
Motion four, brought forward by Montreal, Canada, that carrying the ball in the hand in football and hurling be changed from four steps to two seconds was also debated.
The Donegal delegation objected to the change, arguing that changing the rule to two seconds would make it even harder to enforce and the vast majority in the hall agreed. The motion was defeat 91 per cent to nine per cent.
Later, Offaly’s motion that a player with a head injury for which the referee deemed assessment appropriate should, on the instruction of the referee, immediately leave the field of play to receive medical and/or other attention was deferred to Central Council.
Just before the presidential election results were announced, a motion from Kildare banning passing the ball back to the goalkeeper from a kick-out was passed by 62 per cent of delegates. The penalty for a breach of the new rule – which will come into force next year – will be a free-kick to the opposition from “the position the goalkeeper receives the pass”.
