Munster chairman calls for limit on training sessions

THE Gaelic Players Association (GPA) can help reduce the time inter-county players spend training, according to Munster Council chairman Sean Fogarty.

Noting the frequency with which players cite ‘the lack of a social life’ as the biggest disadvantage of their involvement, he says: “Surely if the GPA has any role to play in GAA affairs, calling a halt to this situation should be a priority for them.”

Mr Fogarty, who made his comments in the programme for yesterday’s Munster football final replay in Cork, expressed the view that the huge demand on players to achieve the necessary fitness levels was “a worrying trend”.

“The level of burnout and the shorter careers at inter-county are one aspect. One has to also worry of the effects of such intense demands on the human frame over a prolonged period of time,” he said.

“Remember that the great racehorse Best Mate was only asked to race three times a year!”

The role he envisaged the GPA undertaking was securing a limit on the number of training sessions and “restoring quality time to the players to enjoy with family and friends”.

“The GAA was founded to provide a healthy pastime for our young people after a day’s work. I sometimes wonder, have we gone the full circle?” Mr Fogarty said.

Expressing satisfaction with the standard in both the hurling and football finals, he said it should convince those in favour of abandoning them “to think again”.

“The intensity of the exchanges provided confirmation — if such was needed — that the provincial title retains its allure for the participants.”