Why all the doom and gloom?
If there was ever an appropriate time for Páraic Duffy to quote our fabled Oriel poet, then last weekend’s Congress was surely it.
Having firmly nailed my colours to the mast on RTÉ’s Allianz League Sunday, I have fervently defended the contentious Congress proposals voted through, in the days since.
That is not out of some blind loyalty to my fellow county-man, but because I feel these changes will have an over-riding positive impact, and should be supported.
I am basing this opinion on my combined experiences as a club and county player, club administrator and commentator.
All things considered, it provides a broadly balanced vantage point. Rising up the intercounty ranks the hard way, I am fully aware of the challenges the current inter-county structure presents to teams at all levels.
Disgruntled second tier counties feel the new system offers nothing for them.
Yet their refusal to accept a second tier Championship has allowed for limited options to improve their lot.
Honest observers know the truth behind many of these counties’ current malaise.
For many, competition structural change is the least of their worries.
Blaming Croke Park is a convenient excuse for many. I know, because Monaghan was once there. We didn’t look for help from Croke Park to sort our issues out.
We just pulled up our socks and got on with what had to be done.
For many of these counties, the revised quarter-final structure will further reward the efforts required to get to this stage in our premier football competition.
An added incentivise for those who see the last eight as an attainable goal.
While an All-Ireland title might be outof reach, being involved in these high profile games will generate huge interest and support.
Equally the last few rounds of the qualifiers will likely take on a whole new meaning.
Akin to the Championship play-offs in English soccer, the substantial prize now on offer could well cause these games to take on a life of their own.
While I might be envious of the future on offer for intercounty players, my primary focus now rests solely with my club.
My 17-year-intercounty career was the proverbial rollercoaster, and all the while my club journey oscillated up and down the divisions.
From defeating Scotstown in the senior championship a few years back, we are back in the junior grade this season following a few difficult campaigns.
Unbowed, and free from the trappings of intercounty life, I decided to take the club as player/manager this season.
Since the start of the year I have only trained the lads one night a week.
Focusing on coaching the skills of the game and playing football, we meet up every Friday night for an hour session.
I want them to enjoy their football to whatever extent they can commit.
This week I sat down to schedule our activity over the next few months as the league season approaches.
With varying levels of commitments and responsibilities, I am acutely aware of the duty of care I now have.
Fixtures are only one area in which the experience of a club player is affected, and can pale into insignificance when compared to the impact of an unreasonable and demanding manager.
Contrary to some of the commentary being served up at present, I don’t see the club landscape ahead of us as a ‘shambles’.
To suggest that a player’s existence now is a joyless experience is wholly unfair to the thousands who give up their time to believe otherwise.
Club players are well aware of the areas of improvement needed in the club game.
Yet they don’t need voices in their heads, questioning the merits of what they choose to do in the face of these challenges.
Nor do they want to get dragged into the mire of GAA politics.
My father, someone heavily involved as a player, manager and administrator throughout his lifetime, was always clear on how he saw a player’s role.
Very simply, he always said ‘Players play’. Leave the rest to the club and county board delegates to sort.
The reality is that the vast majority of club players are happy to follow this model. Train, play, represent your club with integrity and show respect to those who have provided you with an unique opportunity.
Club players need not be asked for any more than that.
The greatest success from last weekend was an acceptance change is needed.
Crucially, talking has finally been replaced with action.
All the vocal stakeholders we have listened to in the days since should be buoyed by this new landscape in which they can put forward their proposals, knowing if they do their homework, their voices will be listened to, and ideas acted upon.
Taking a lead from South Monaghan’s favourite son, last weekend Congress certainly took ‘Chance’s wife’ for a dance, and put more than a few noses out of joint in the process.
Time will tell whether their alleged crimes will be washed away by the rains of time.
I am confident they will.
