Fixture schedule frustrating Power

Tipperary U21 football team manager David Power has voiced his deep frustration with the scheduling of local club fixtures that could involve 15 of his squad members this weekend.

A host of Power’s top stars are being asked to line out for their clubs just days before Tipp’s U21s play Waterford in the Munster championship next Wednesday evening.

Power is already planning without four players who starred for Tipp’s minors in their march to All-Ireland glory in 2011, when he was manager. Colman Kennedy and Greg Henry are unavailable due to soccer commitments with Cork City while John McGrath is not being considered either because of school commitments with Our Lady’s Templemore. John Meagher is part of Eamon O’Shea’s Tipperary senior hurling squad. Clonmel Commercials player Ian Fahey and Philip Quirke (Moyle Rovers) are also ruled out through injury.

But Power is now sweating on the availability of other key players in club games over the weekend.

“We have numerous lads that have played with their colleges in third level competitions,” Power said.

“Is there a need to have this U21 [club] championship at this time of year? We’re on about player burnout but do people making the fixtures realise that? Are they being fair to the players? Those are the questions that I would ask.

“It’s very frustrating but at times, you have to play with the cards you’re dealt. If you end up going on and on about it, you’ll lose focus on the game.

“We’re already without Philip Quirke and Ian Fahey, who would have played if they were fully fit. If we lose another two, that’s effectively one third of our team.”