Clubs need a new route to take

ALL-IRELAND senior hurling final on Sunday, Clare v Kilkenny, and the best of luck to both. Even as they enjoy the big stage however, we read again that in both counties, the club scene, and the club players, are suffering a serious lack of serious competition.

Reason? Club championships on hold, in both counties. Kilkenny at least did have a break. As winners in Leinster, they had a waiting period of several weeks before their next game, thus saw an opportunity to hold a round of the club championships. In Clare, all go since losing to Tipperary, so all hold. Why, even the club football championship has been affected, one quarter-final still to be played, delayed as Lissycasey player Colin Lynch is involved with the hurlers.

The problem might get worse, as the inter-county scene heads almost inevitably towards more and bigger games. That's where the revenue is, and the GAA is going to need plenty of that in the coming years.