Time to bring the curtain down on the double bill mentality

WHEN GAA administrators are making fixtures, especially championship fixtures, they usually think in terms of two games or a double bill as it is usually referred to.

Almost invariably, the main game will be played as the second fixture with the opening game as the curtain-raiser. Often times this makes sense.

For years, minor championship games were played as curtain-raisers to all provincial and All-Ireland championship matches. But in recent years, with the growing importance of the Leaving Certificate, with almost all students going on to that level at least, the GAA has adapted it’s programme so as not to interfere too much with these exams and help ease the pressure on minor inter-county players.