O’Brien: Queens have let their players down

The GAA’s higher education committee chairman, Ray O’Brien, claims Queens University were wrong to pull out of this month’s McKenna Cup.

O’Brien also said the decision, based on player unavailability, has not been fair on the majority of players in the Belfast college panel.

“It’s disappointing that Queens pulled out,” said O’Brien. “It was only five players [who were made unavailable due to county commitments] which might have dented a chance of winning the competition but they have a panel of 30 to 35 and a very strong intermediate team.

“I don’t know whether they were trying to force the situation but it seems to have backfired on them.

“Whoever took the decision, I think it was wrong and they should have thought of the entire group. For the sake of five, they’ve let another 30 or so lads down.”

O’Brien feels the issue has come to a head in recent seasons because of the pressure on inter-county managers.

“I don’t think other colleges will follow suit. If they don’t play in the early season tournaments the counties will come looking for challenges with them anyway.

“For colleges, it’s preparation for their [Sigerson] championship and not their be-all and end-all. I know counties get frustrated that some colleges have had success purely and they feel they need to win in order for managers to mind their positions.

“But I can’t see managers being judged on a McGrath or an O’Byrne Cup. It’s taken on such significance because they’re under pressure.

“We would always advocate that colleges should play in competitions because it work well both ways. For the counties, the competitions provide more meaningful games to inter-county players and there is more media coverage for the colleges.

“There is no issue with Connacht, Munster or Leinster who all seem to work it out. In regards to Ulster, I was told there was a discussion between colleges and county board about player welfare in general and there seemed to be some sort of a verbal agreement that there wouldn’t be any issues.

“One county seemed to have called a halt to that and they’ve been at it for a couple of years. There’s not a whole lot we can do. We’re at the whim of the provinces in these tournaments.”