Mixed reaction to ‘import’ decision

THE weekend decision by the GAA’s annual Congress to allow weaker hurling counties to “import” five players from stronger counties has evoked mixed reactions.

Although Christy Ring Cup contenders Mayo are now entitled to bring in five outside players, manager Frank Browne will not be exercising the option.

“How could I go to five players on my panel and tell them they are being left off because we are bringing in five lads from Galway?

“I couldn’t, and I won’t,” said Browne yesterday.

“I have discussed the rule change with my selectors Martin Brennan and Mark Deely, and we have decided we will not be availing of the rule.

“Even if we are beaten in every game, we won’t be bringing in players from outside in those circumstances.

“Our job is to promote hurlers who live and work in Mayo, who are part of the club scene in the county, not to parachute in players from outside.”

The rule allows players from counties who compete in the Liam McCarthy Cup to declare for another county if the second county is competing in the Christy Ring or Nicky Rackard cups.

The only stipulations are that they must be either living in the second county, or at least one of their parents must hail from that county.

Louth secretary Pat Toner whose county proposed the motion is fully behind the project. He said counties, such as Louth with just four senior and two junior clubs playing hurling, will benefit enormously.

However he understands why there may be concerns: “The one drawback with the idea is telling players who have been part of the county scene, ‘sorry lads, we are now importing five players and ye are no longer required.’

“The concept is good. It’s bound to lift standards if you can get five players from the stronger counties to throw their lot in with you, but you have to strike the right balance, so as not to offend players who are presently part of the scene.”

Kerry vice chairman Ger Whyte said that while his county supported the motion at Congress, he feels it would not work.

“The motion was passed on the basis that clubs would have first call on the players. Now suppose we in Kerry had five players who are members of clubs in Cork and their county championship clashed with a Christy Ring game Kerry were playing, we cannot call on those players.

“There would be endless problems for fixtures at both club and county level. The other question I would pose: ‘would the imported players die for the county jersey?’ I’m not sure their allegiance to their adopted county would be what a county manager requires”.

Meath hurling mentor TJ Reilly said his county are in favour of the idea, but again he is concerned about the workings of it.

“It would only help a county like us which is so far away from the stronger hurling counties, if players were working or came to live in Meath”, he said.

“I don’t think we would get the necessary commitment from players if they had to travel long distances, say from Limerick, Clare or Cork.

“The idea is very good. Imagine if we got a couple of players in and we began to win games. Meath is a footballing county first, and all our good hurlers are also very good at football, but if we could win a couple of matches, it may prompt players to give the same commitment to hurling as they do to football.

“I feel it should be tried for one 12 month period.”