The club game needs to return to the fore in GAA

The GAA was founded with the principle aim “to foster and promote Irish pastimes” but again at last week’s congress, promotion was the main focus while fostering seems to be amiss. As an ordinary club player I would have liked to have the inter county season shortened.

Year on year, the plight of the club player is ignored at congress, county board and even at club administration level. As a club player I would love to see the following:

1.Certainty of fixtures, so that we have the ability to plan our lives and prepare properly for the game we love

2.Play competitive championship games in weather that is conducive to hurling (ie in summer/autumn).

3.A realisation that the club game in the county should be paramount because without the club we have no inter county. I don’t need to tell you the amount of times the championship has been rushed through in Cork. There is utter disregard for the plight of clubs.

Is it time for a Real GPA to be formed , that can provide a strong voice for the 99% of GAA players

Pat Walsh

Bartlemy

Co Cork