Four of Offaly's under-14 football team have been dropped after they took part in a soccer game last Saturday.
The Offaly Express report that the four players were removed from the U14 squad after they missed a training session with the county football team to play for Edenderry FC against Shamrock Rovers.
Offaly GAA: U14 footballers removed from squad after taking part in soccer game against Shamrock Rovers
Offaly's U14 football team are mired in some controversy, after four of their players were dropped this week.
The four players in question played for Edenderry FC in a game against Shamrock Rovers in the SFAI U14 National Cup quarter-final on Saturday, April 2. The players came from Rhode GAA and Edenderry GAA clubs, and missed a training session with the Offaly U14s in order to play in the soccer game.
The days of players being banned from taking part in GAA events for participation in "foreign games" are long gone.
The Offaly Express report suggests that the players were not dropped for playing soccer. The reason was in fact that they missed a crucial training session, at which U20 All-Ireland winning manager Declan Kelly was present.
Kelly himself was the one who gave the news to the players' parents on Saturday morning, and clubs were notified on Monday.
Speaking to the Offaly Express, one of the parents in question said:
To say all the lads and their parents were devastated is an understatement.
My son was absolutely thrilled to be picked. He loves the game of football and plays with the Rhode U15s. At no stage were they ever told they could not play another sport as being part of the Offaly development squad. These young lads are trying their hearts out to make this Offaly panel.
One of the parents said that attendance forms had been filled out ahead of time, but the code of conduct for Offaly's U14s does state that training sessions must be attended punctually by all players.
In a statement to the Express, Offaly GAA said:
A fundamental aspect of our Development Squad pathway program is that the players on the squads must commit to attendance at our training sessions and matches.
Offaly GAA’s prime objective is to promote Gaelic Games in Offaly with many dedicated volunteers working very hard to promote participation and improve skill levels in our clubs in conjunction with raising the playing standards at county level.
We imagine the reaction to this controversy within Offaly GAA isn't over yet, and it will be fascinating to see if the decision is ultimately rescinded.
SEE ALSO: The Definitive Ranking Of Every County's 2022 Home Jersey
