Cloonan: If Leinster won’t play ball, Galway will try Munster
Seven years on from joining the Leinster SHC, former senior manager Cloonan is fuming the province’s counties continue to resist Galway’s proposals for home and away arrangements and their participation in the U18 and U21 championships.
Galway competed in Munster between 1959 and ’69 and Cloonan said they would be amenable to rejoining providing they receive the conditions they are currently seeking from Leinster.
At a time where Galway have brought their stand-off with Leinster to the attention of the GAA’s management committee, Cloonan remarked: “The whole thing has gone pear-shaped. Either we’re fully integrated into Leinster or we’re out. All-in or all-out.
“We need championship games in the city of Galway. Either we get that and our underage teams into Leinster or we then look at Munster or go back to the situation years ago when we were treated the same as Leinster and Munster champions and go straight into an All-Ireland semi-final. Returning to playing losing teams in qualifiers is not the answer.
“Munster could work. Clare, Limerick and Tipp are within striking distance of Galway and providing there were home and away agreements and we were accepted fully then it could work.
“There would be pluses and minuses to it but it would be better than what we have now. If Munster aren’t in a position to give us the right conditions, then go back to starting the championship in the All-Ireland semi-final.
“People say our underage teams have easy runs to All-Ireland finals but we’re looking to be included. They could hardly whinge if our senior team is refused equal standing in both provinces.”
Current Leinster chairman John Horan, who is incidentally set to rival Galway’s Frank Burke as a presidential candidate in February, recently revealed Galway have been receiving annual “top-up” funding of €20,000 from the council for the last couple of years to ease their frustrations.
Cloonan stated: “Sure, how long does a sum like that last? I’ll put it another way — how much money have Galway matches generated for the Leinster Council compared to what went on beforehand?
“Galway have helped to light up the championship and make it competitive. They have contributed greatly to the huge interest now in the Leinster championship.”
Cloonan cited an article last week which hailed the transformation made by Connacht rugby in Galway city.
He said: “How long more are the Leinster Council and the GAA going to stand idly by and deprive Galway, the fourth largest city in the state, hurling championship games?
“They can argue it’s the democratic decision of the Leinster counties not to travel to Galway but how democratic was the Central Council decision to ‘lock’ Galway into Leinster after the county decided to do so for a trial period of three years?
“It’s an old argument but Galway going into Leinster, for any period, without getting agreement on home games, under-age teams, funding, representation, coaching grants etc, was a poor judgement call by the county and GAA officials at that time.
“It’s time for GAA and ‘hurling people’ to get real and follow the call made by former president Nickey Brennan, who steered the county into Leinster, address Galway’s position, especially on home games and underage teams.”
Cloonan suggested Galway merit a gesture from the Leinster Council. He suggests they schedule the 2020 Leinster final to take place in Pearse Stadium to mark Galway’s year as the European Capital of Culture.
He continued: “Make home and away mandatory for all Leinster Senior Hurling Championship games involving Galway.”
The rugby situation in Galway both impresses and frustrates the Athenry man.
“Connacht were told to disband 12 or 13 years ago, stood their ground and battled to be what they are today. A rugby match in Galway city is a huge event but in hurling we never get a serious championship game in Pearse Stadium. We need it.”
As regards the underage situation, Cloonan bemoaned: “There is such great work being done by clubs. Ballygar this year won the U16A county final for the first time. Unthinkable. Carnmore won the U14 title. Clubs not to the forefront of hurling in the county are now doing so but the system is letting us down.
“If our minor teams were in the Leinster championship we would have a better county team. That was the argument always.”
