Future of Kilkenny football in doubt

KILKENNY football secretary Tommy O’Reilly expressed fear for the existence of organised football in the county after six of seven adult league games were conceded last weekend.

Four intermediate, one senior and one junior game were never played due to walkovers given by clubs, a situation O’Reilly says is “ridiculous”.

“This year we lost the likes of Freshford and Carrickshock — Tullaroan didn’t submit a team last year,” revealed O’Reilly.

“Ballyhale Shamrocks were entered but then had to drop out because they couldn’t field a team.

“Last year we had 19 junior teams and now we’re down to about 12. The likes of Muckalee and Railway would have two teams, one in senior and junior, and it’s on them we’re relying on to keep the numbers up. If we lose another seven clubs next year I don’t know where we will be.”

According to O’Reilly, clubs are paying €1,000 to play in these fixtures and he described it as a waste of money for them not to play them.

The concessions are costing the county board, as referees turning up for games called off at the last minute and still must be paid expenses.

Hurling remains the biggest issue for the welfare of football in the county with the majority of clubs keen not to let the weaker code impinge on their hurling commitments.

“The managers are the biggest problem,” stated O’Reilly. “Clubs are making their own arrangements about fixtures, whether to play them or not, when it is the county board’s job to schedule games.

“The truth is we in the football and county boards, chairman Paul Kinsella, vice-chairman Pat Dunphy, myself and others, would nearly be the last to know if games are on or off.

“The county board will be asking questions of me about why so many games are walkovers and then our chairman Paul Kinsella will have to do the same up in Croke Park. We can only tell them the truth and that the clubs are responsible.”