Minor grade returns to Under 18 in Waterford
A general view of Walsh Park. Photo: INPHO.
Club delegates voted unanimously for minor hurling and football to return to Under 18 at Monday night’s county board meeting in Dungarvan.
Last November, Waterford chose to keep minor at Under 17 after a secret ballot. On this occasion, the even age grades of Under 14, 16 and 18 got a massive show of hands in a packed room at Lawlors Hotel.
A player in his last year of minor will be able to line out at adult level. That motion also received unanimous support from club representatives.
Delegates called on Central Council member Brendan Tobin to support the reintroduction of pre-season competitions. A vote will be taken on Saturday in Croke Park with 60 per cent required to overturn the decision made in September to pause the provincial tournaments.
“I thought it was a crazy decision,” Kill delegate Ray Hennessy remarked. “The inter county season is short enough as it is. Especially, when we’re bringing in new rules for football. They should be trialled in the pre-season competitions.” Chairman Sean Michael O’Regan and secretary Pat Flynn revealed that arranging challenge games in January would cost the board more money than playing in the McGrath Cup and the Munster League.
The board will run a Win A House In Waterford Draw in April 2025. The house is situated in Waterford city in the Brookfield estate.
The Win A House In Dungarvan draw generated €778,000 in 2023. “We would be hugely confident that this will be a success,” O’Regan told the meeting.
Treasurer Kieran Geary explained that the draw will support a new Under 19 hurling development squad in 2025 as well as infrastructure development in Walsh Park and Fraher Field and additional coaching across underage hurling and football.
Like the previous draw, tickets will be priced at €100. 30 per cent of sales will be returned to clubs. “It’s an ask for the clubs to come with us,” Geary commented.
He also confirmed that a cash alternative will be an option for the winner. Tickets will be made available to clubs at the next county board meeting in November.
Mark Radley from Kilgobinet was appointed as the new project manager for the Waterford GAA strategic plan. He takes over from Kevin Ryan who held the position for the past three years.
