Cats secretary makes plea for all-weather pitches

THE GAA has to be more proactive in the provision of all-weather floodlit pitches, Kilkenny County Board Secretary, Ned Quinn will tell delegates in his first report to annual convention tomorrow evening.

Writing that there is an urgent need for at least one such pitch capable of staging club and school games all year round, he says they cannot afford “to stand idly by” and allow other sporting bodies attract their players through the provision of such facilities.

Formerly the county chairman and, under Nickey Brennan’s presidency chairman of the Hurling Development Committee, Quinn argues that the long periods of wet weather each year further compounds the need.

“A five to seven-year programme guaranteeing each county the provision of one such facility should be implemented,” said Quinn. “Such a facility in each county would also be a welcome resource for the training of county teams and be of great assistance in facilitating the completion of all our competitions. Current developments outside this country suggest that a much simplified version of the artificial type pitch will shortly be available and this should greatly facilitate their installation,’’ he comments.

Noting that Brian Cody is now regarded as “the greatest hurling team manger of modern times” after guiding the county to six All-Ireland titles, he also acknowledges that not alone was the display in the All-Ireland final acclaimed as the greatest ever seen, but that the team is now acknowledged among the finest ever to play hurling.

Interesting in terms of the GAA celebrating its 125th anniversary next year, he points out that Gaelic football was in the ascendancy in Kilkenny in the early years — as evidenced by the fact 19 teams entering the first county football championship, compared to just four in hurling.

“Hurling, however, quickly became the preferred game. Winning seven All Ireland titles during the 10-year period, 1904-1913, provided the content for the initial chapter in what has turned out to be a truly wonderful hurling story. Many further glorious chapters have been added with at least one senior All-Ireland title being won in each succeeding decade culminating in the completion of our second ever three in a row this year and outright leadership of hurling’s Roll of Honour for the first time. Very gratifyingly also we now lead the Roll of Honour at minor level, while we are joint leaders in the U-21 grade.’’

Taking account of their success, Quinn states the introduction of development squads a few years ago has proved very successful in helping to capitalise on the work in the underage sections at clubs and schools.

“The decision to allow clubs to nominate players for inclusion in each squad has resulted in many players receiving the opportunity to represent the county who might not otherwise,” said Quinn. “The spread of clubs represented on this year’s minor team is one example of the benefit of this policy. As with all such initiatives, there is a constant need of appraisal to ensure we achieve our desired outcome.

“It is important also to ensure that those involved with the squads are at all times fully appraised of the most up-to-date methods in the area of coaching and conditioning of young players and that all clubs remain fully supportive of the concept overall.’’

In welcoming the return of their senior footballers to the National League, he says the standard of football in the county final (won by James Stephens) was very encouraging. For the first time, the final was played under lights. The fact the same four teams contested the senior and junior finals in hurling and football “has surely given the line” to the notion the two games cannot be successfully promoted, he says, adding both of their football champions reached the Leinster championship semi-finals.

He says that the absence of motions is a continuation of a worrying trend, suggesting an unhealthy apathy at club level in regard to influencing change.

“The consequence of this is the ongoing imposition of change from the top down and unless this trend is reversed one of the main dynamics that contributed to the growth and development of the GAA will be lost.’’