Donnelly welcomes interpro support
The annual games were suspended last year and GAA President Christy Cooney has warned the best players will have to be available if it is to continue.
However, Donnelly is delighted the former Railway Cup competitions are being debated at least when it appeared their days were numbered.
“I don’t think the Central Council discussion is anything major but it’s a means of taking soundings and that is positive,” said Donnelly, who is willing to financially back the championship again. “It seems there will have to be a general discussion and if anything’s going to happen it will happen at Congress.
“If we can get Munster and Ulster behind it that will have some sway. A lot of their counties have already said they’re behind it.
“Some of the Leinster counties would be behind it although the appetite for them doesn’t seem great in Connacht.
“The fact that Central Council discussing it is no bad thing. If the will is there, we can find a way.”
Donnelly would be ‘confident enough’ of the inter-pros continuing if they were put to a vote at Congress in April. Earlier this week, the Cork County Board voted in support.
“There are several people coming out and backing it. There is a great attitude towards the competition in Ulster and from the likes of Noel Walsh in Clare.
“We have four provinces, our All-Ireland championships is distinguished by them so it makes sense to have a competition in which those provinces are represented.
“What we need is a general discussion to see how we can bring the interprovincials on.”
In December, Donnelly proposed through this newspaper that the GPA should be allowed to run the competitions with all proceeds gained going to player welfare initiatives such as the injury welfare scheme and hardship fund.
Several players have already expressed their support for the competition to continue.
