Critics know what they don’t like
The GAA’s primary competition (or is it competitions... does anybody care?) is very much on the group’s agenda with the Football Review Committee (FRC)’s structural recommendations being voted upon.
Unlike the FRC’s work on the playing rules, many if not all of their proposals are expected to be shot down.
Support for the continuation of the International Rules after this year looks weak, although there appears to be a determination to see club championships concluded in the calendar year.
The major plank of the FRC’s document is their call for the championship to be played as four provincial conferences of eight teams with the preliminary losers in Leinster and Ulster entering the quarter-final stages in Connacht and Munster.
The likes of Mayo and Donegal have made their intentions known about it as did Cork last month when short shrift was given to the idea of two Leinster preliminary round losers being given a second chance as part of the Munster competition.
As a county with more than its fair share of fixture headaches, the move was understandably opposed by Cork. Frank Murphy said: “Some years, we enjoy the situation where we don’t have to play a quarter-final, but here we would have one every year. That would take up another two Sundays, the day of the game itself and the week beforehand when we couldn’t have club action. And where is hurling in all of this?”
The aforementioned counties have every right to reject what they clearly feel is a wrong fit for them. However, there doesn’t appear too much appetite to put forward alternatives as has been requested.
Launching the document back in December, Liam O’Neill gave counties two options. “This will open discussion. We’re asking people to debate the report, support the proposals or come up with better.”
The same directive was provided at the last Central Council meeting in March — thumbs up or come up with an alternative. However, it seems the FRC will not accept any attempts to improve or refine their own ideas. During the debate at the recent Mayo County Board meeting, delegates were informed FRC chairman Eugene McGee would not take amendments to the prospective motions.
When, from the outset, it was obvious most of the recommendations were in trouble surely it would be in the interest of everyone to allow some wiggle room.
After all, the black card was a compromise following GAA director general Páraic Duffy’s acknowledgement that the original yellow card recommendation for cynical fouls was confusing.
Just because there is a lack of alternative options coming from the counties doesn’t mean that everything is perfect with the championship structure because it most definitely is not. And just because proposals must work within the parameters of the provincial championship because they as sure as hell aren’t going anywhere doesn’t mean there is no room for improvement either.
1. End the seeded Munster football draw or alter it slightly so that weaker counties can build up a head of steam before facing Cork and Kerry in semi-finals or an open semi-final draw.
2. End the seeded Leinster football draw. That should bring Dublin out of their Croke Park lair.
3. End the seeded Leinster hurling draw. Reward for success shouldn’t extend to the following season.
4. Convince the Ulster Council their final doesn’t always have to take place on the third Sunday in July.
5. Make the Connacht Council realise a six-game competition can be run off quicker than 11 weeks.
6. Order all counties to sign up to home and away agreements where possible only using neutral venues for provincial finals and All-Ireland series games from the quarters onwards.
7. Yes, that means giving home advantage in the fourth round qualifiers to the beaten provincial finalists. The more reward for provincial pursuits the better.
8. Tell Galway’s hurlers that they can’t have it every way. Either they’re in Leinster at all levels or none at all. But, Jesus, by all means give them a home game every once in a while.
9. Make the All-Ireland football semi-finals an open draw. It will add a bit of excitement.
10. Support Kerry hurlers to the hilt should they wish to return to the Munster championship.
See, it’s not that difficult, is it? But O’Neill is likely to be feel quite deflated by the reaction he insisted on.
The championship is all but certain to remain the championship because counties will say so. Maybe Stephen Stills put it best when he sang if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with. Or, to put it more bluntly, if you can’t think of anything better, better be quiet.
* Email: john.fogarty@examiner.ie
RTÉ’s decision to seek a meeting between GAA officials and their pundits about the new football rules and clarity about hurling rules is encouraging.
At a time when Sky Sports don’t know their Cillians from their Sylians, and their Connachts from their Connows, the national broadcaster’s diligence stands out.
The relationship between the GAA and RTÉ hit a low after the Prime Time grilling handed out to the association’s director general Páraic Duffy. However, the pair will tomorrow announce their GAAGo digital partnership. There will be much RTÉ can learn from Sky Sports but you feel there’s more the new boys and girls can glean from those in Montrose.
On the subject of rules, Pat Spillane’s revelation the GAA authorities felt Dublin’s Conor McHugh should have been black carded in the U21 semi-final against Cavan was a startling one.
Yes, on first look, it appeared he had dragged Conor P Moynagh to the ground, but replays indicated Moynagh had fouled McHugh as much as the other way around. In our eyes, referee Derek O’Mahoney correctly elected not to show McHugh a black card but that doesn’t appear to be what he was told by the powers on high.
Moynagh’s dragging of McHugh’s jersey while in possession is exactly the kind of diving attempt Jim McGuinness warns is ahead of us this summer.
It’s not a case of there may be trouble ahead; there will be.
