GPA say quarter-final should be postponed
Chief executive Dessie Farrell expressed “great regret” at the decision not to postpone Leinster club championship matches in order to allow teams a sufficient period of recovery prior to fulfilling their next fixture within that competition.
“We believe that exposing players to such circumstances is both dangerous and disrespectful. In addition, very little consideration has been afforded to the travelling supporters of these teams,” he said.
“However, we do feel, yet again, the fixtures dilemma has been highlighted and that a more constructive approach needs to be taken to find a solution. This process should involve all levels of administration within the GAA (and perhaps also including team management and player representatives).
“The GAA must recognise that the current discipline/suspension system prohibits any shift from a training culture to a playing culture, a shift that could assist greatly the annual fixture congestion currently blighting the AIB Club Championship programme.”
Farrell also said due consideration must now be given to the notion of separating club and county suspensions and indeed changing from time to match suspension within that specific competition.
The GPA also slammed the Leinster Council decision not to grant any additional funding to Dublin and Kildare county boards to further subsidise their holiday costs.
“It appears that, yet again, it is now necessary for players to go cap in hand to their supporters (who have spent generously all season to follow their teams) to assist in raising the bulk of the finance required.
“It is little wonder the players are disillusioned with such administrative decisions, bearing in mind it is these very players who provide the marvellous entertainment which in turn, swells the coffers of our association.”
Rathnew find themselves in the unusual position of not knowing their opponents for Sunday’s provincial quarter-final.
“It’s a most unusual situation for us, but it’s something completely outside our control,” said club official John Snell. We are planning as if we have a game on Sunday. It’s the only way we can deal with the situation. If Saturday’s game ends in a draw the replay is the following week which means no game for us.
“Should there be a result on Saturday, Sunday’s opponents, be it UCD or St Vincent’s, will be very difficult to beat. But we are ready and if the game has to be postponed that won’t bother us one bit. There will be no change in the situation if the game has to be put back a week. The winners will be out again the following day.
“Whatever about ourselves, it’s going to be extremely difficult for whichever team comes through tomorrow. It’s going to be hard on team officials to try and keep the celebrations down to the minimum.
“These are only amateur players and deserve to be better treated. Winning a county championship with your club is the ultimate for the majority of players and they should be given time to enjoy the experience.”
Darren and Ronan Coffey, Damien Power and Dan Flynn have all been out with long term injuries, the latter two with broken legs, but it’s an ill wind that blows someone good.
Because of Darren Coffey’s absence, 18-year-old James Stafford got his chance at midfield and so successful has he been, that county team manager John O’Leary has drafted him in for training.
Interestingly, Stafford was the team mascot in 1996 when Rathnew win the first of their seven in a row titles. He was also the mascot in 1997. Five years on he is an established member of the team.
Should UCD win the Dublin title, the three Ó hAnnaidh brothers, Breandán, Dara and Oisin who play their club football with the Bray Emmetts team and are current county players, will be in action against several of their inter-county colleagues.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
