County boards have received instructions from Central Council to clamp down on breaches of the rule regarding the use of facilities by other sporting bodies, delegates were told at last night's Cork county board meeting.

It follows the controversy sparked by the use of Nemo Rangers' Trabeg Sports Centre by the Irish rugby team in February. Following an investigation carried out by the Cork county board into the circumstances which led to Declan Kidney's squad training at the state-of-the-art grounds after the cold weather left their first-choice venue unplayable, Nemo escaped with a mere rap on the knuckles from the Croke Park authorities.

County committees in future must 'police' the relevant rule in regard to the use of club playing and ancillary facilities, with the clear message that they are not to be used by sporting bodies 'in conflict' with the aims and objectives of the Association.

The issue was raised at last night's meeting by Bride Rovers delegated John Arnold, who questioned the meaning of the word 'ancillary' facilities in a report which was distributed at the last Central Council meeting on August 7.

Cork chairman Jerry O'Sullivan quoted from the rule specifying that club facilities should only be used for the purposes intended in rule - in other words they should not be used by other sporting associations 'for games or training.'

O'Sullivan agreed with Arnold's interpretation that there would be 'no problem' in allowing athletics groups to use their faculties, saying that they are, after all, a community-based organisation. However, he cautioned that any such groupings should have insurance indemnity on such occasions. Tweet

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