O’Donovan’s warning on calendar year finish

Cork ’s senior administrator Diarmuid O’Donovan believes attempts to finish All-Ireland Club championships in a calendar year would have "serious consequences" for grassroots fixtures.

In his report for Sunday’s annual convention, O’Donovan admits if the proposed changes are passed then it would be impossible to run the Cork championships in their current guise.

“I also wish to draw the attention of the clubs to the current proposal toadjust the national games calendar into the calendar year,” O’Donovan writes.

“This will have grave implications for our club championship programme.

“It would be necessary to play county finals in September. This would have serious consequences for dual clubs and the participation of divisional sides in the senior county championships.

“It would be impossible to retain our current championship programme.”

He also feels that the spell between late April and the end of June should be looked at in greater detail.

“Each year 96 teams start out in our top three hurling and football championships.

“The football championships start in May and the hurling starts three weeks later.

“By the end of July when Round 4 begins, not only are 84 of these teams still involved there are also four Division/College teams.

“Rather than focus on when Round 1 begins I think it would make sense to aim to hold the draw for Round 4 before the end of June.

“This may free up two weeks towards the end of July and give more time to allow dual clubs, junior divisional championships and U21 championship to be played in July.

“Rather than focus on when round one begins, I think it would make sense to aim to hold the draw for round four before the end of June. This would free up two weekends towards the end of July and give more time to allow dual clubs, junior divisional championships and U21 championships to be played during July.”