It’s been estimated that the decision to scrap the McKenna Cup cost the Ulster Council in the region of €340,000. The overall figure could be as much as €1 million across the country
It’s easy to wade in and say that the return of the pre-season provincial competition is a money grab. Particularly when the provincial councils themselves have been happy enough to put a figure on it.
It’s been estimated that last year’s decision to scrap the McKenna Cup cost the Ulster Council in the region of €340,000. Connacht have put it in the region of €100,000, and the overall figure could be as much as €1 million across the country when the other preseason competitions are factored in.
The argument goes that this money can be used for coaching or infrastructure to bolster the GAA. But it’s difficult not to see it as a case of the GAA talking out of both sides of its mouth, or at the very least the left hand having no idea what the right hand is doing.
A committee headed up by former Director General Paraic Duffy are proposing that the All-Ireland finals be pushed back a fortnight, with the final game of the inter-county season moving to a mid-August date.
The GPA insists that best sports science practice in terms of injury prevention is that a six week pre-season is required before players line out in matches.
So, being fair to players, they should be back with their counties six weeks before they line out in the O’Byrne Cup, Munster Hurling League and all the other pre-season competitions.
The National Football League started on January 25 last year. Assuming the pre-season competitions, which can be run off over two and a half weeks, are slotted in, along with a six week build-up, this would see counties able to call players back to training in early to mid November.
There is already talk of the return to collective training dates being pushed back.
Not only does all this squeeze the window for clubs further but it also squeezes inter-county players again.
It’s hardly something the GPA, who wanted rid of the pre season competitions, will stand for.
It also exposes the myth that the inter-county season is seven months. December has been a county training month in recent years. That brings us to eight months. Throw in November now and it’s heading for nine months.
So we’re getting back again to a scenario where the balance is all wrong, both for inter-county players and clubs.
And let’s not forget that the vast majority of inter-county players are in favour of the split season as it currently stands.
The demands, which became reasonable for county players, but still fairly extreme for amateurs, when the All-Ireland Finals were moved to July are being rowed back on right across the board.
Also, the question has to be asked, how many inter-county competitions do we need?
Currently we have a pre-season warm up to a League, which warms up to a provincial championship, which warms up to an All-Ireland.
All in an amateur game where a totally different entity – the club game – is supposed to be the bedrock of a volunteer, community based Association.
It also begs the question, what is the purpose of the pre-season competition, beyond finance?
From a provincial council perspective it’s as much about power as money. The dilution of the provincial championships by the new All-Ireland round robin, was a hit to their influence.
Getting rid of pre-season competitions was another blow. No doubt many in Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht GAA were anxious to stop what might be seen as a drip turning to a flow.
Certainly second division football managers will be glad to see the return of pre-season competitions.
Their place in the League has a huge bearing on the All-Ireland, with anything below fifth potentially meaning a drop to the Tailteann Cup. So, they need to be ready to hit the ground running in Round 1.
For football counties in other divisions, the pre-season competitions are not so important and it’s the same for hurling counties, bar a testing ground for younger players.
The Division 2 football example is another incidence of the haphazard nonsensical structures that have led to inequity and so many other issues in the GAA.
The other argument for the return of the pre-season provincials is promotional value, and they do draw decent crowds, even if many can’t understand their appeal.
They also provide a bedding ground for younger players. Dublin, for example, use the O’Byrne Cup to trial players, fielding a third string team.
All they were looking for was one or two players, and it may even have been for 12 months down the line. Other counties don’t have the same luxury.
Field a rookie team, get a few hammerings and no decent internal match practice into players, and your league campaign and season could go awol fairly quickly.
A return for the pre-season competitions may suit certain cohorts, but do they serve the overall Association well?
And is it worth it for a few thousand euro when gate receipts are already at an all-time high with so many extra championship matches.
The interests of players should always come first. And the most squeezed, who generally give the most and train the hardest, are inter-county players. This is certainly one for the GPA.
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