13/11/2001

Cavan and Monaghan vote to scrap GAA’s Rule 21

Cavan and Monaghan Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) county committees have backed the proposal to delete the GAA’s controversial Rule 21, which bans members of the British Army from playing Gaelic games.

On Monday, November 12, the majority of Monaghan GAA county committee voted to support the abolition of Rule 21. Later it was announced that Cavan county committee had also backed the deletion of the rule.

To date three of the nine Ulster counties - Derry, Fermanagh and Armagh - have voted to keep the rule and three – Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan have voted to scrap it.

Later this week, Tyrone, Antrim and Down will decide how they will vote at the GAA’s special congress in Dublin on 17 November.

The decisions by Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan GAA committees have strengthened the growing feeling that GAA president Sean McCague will succeed in getting the rule deleted.

When the final vote is taken at the special congress, a two-thirds majority is required for change.

In all there are 34 votes - the 32 counties in Ireland, plus London and New York.

It has been confirmed that the special congress will be held behind closed-doors with the media not being allowed to view the proceedings. (AMcE)

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