Teddy: GAA must fight to keep players like Sweetnam

Darren Sweetnam’s loss to rugby could have been avoided, argues Teddy McCarthy.

According to Cork chairman Bob Ryan, “you can’t compete with professionalism — that’s just the way it is.”

However, McCarthy believes the GAA has to intensify its efforts in Cork to ensure the best hurlers and footballers aren’t lost to other sports.

“Simon Zebo was a very talented young fella and I saw him play underage for Blackrock and he was a brilliant hurler and footballer.

“He’s plying his trade as a rugby player and one of the leading young players.

“We have a problem in Cork as regards rugby.

“Not every county has it — Kilkenny doesn’t have it but we do in a big way. We’re losing players.

“Croke Park has to sit up and take notice because we all want to see the best players and we have to accommodate them.”