All-Ireland U17s await approval of Congress

The GAA will introduce an All-Ireland U17 championship in both codes should the proposal to raise the age eligibility for adult competition receive the green light at Congress.

The minor review workgroup are pushing for the establishment of a 16-team U17 football championship to “create a platform for less successful counties” and chairman Micheál Martin yesterday revealed the proposed competition could see a 2016 introduction.

The hurling championship, meanwhile, will replace the existing minor B and C competitions.

Neither competition will come to fruition, stressed Martin, if the proposal to increase the age eligibility for adult club competition from 16 to 17 is rejected at Congress.

“It is clear that there is an appetite for a subsidiary competition although the concept of an All-Ireland minor B football competition wasn’t warmly received,” Martin told the Irish Examiner.

“There are a number of counties who have struggled to gain success at minor level, even though there is excellent work being carried out at underage level within those counties. This competition would benefit such counties.

“The football competition will only work if the motion on age eligibility is accepted. Adding an extra competition for already over-burdened young players is not an option.

“This competition wouldn’t need to go before Congress. This could be brought to life by Central Council. We will be pushing for a 2016 start.”

With analysis carried out by the review group showing the same counties falling at the first provincial hurdle each spring, Martin is confident the U17 competition will provide an opportunity for non-traditional forces to enjoy “meaningful success”.

“In Munster, Clare, Waterford and Limerick have struggled over the past number of years. We want to give the weaker counties something to aim towards.

“What we are proposing is a 16-team competition of the teams who are knocked out in the early rounds of the respective provincial championships. No county who progresses in the minor championship will be entered into the U17 championship.

“The games will be played mid-week on a cross provincial basis in May and June without having a significant impact on club fixtures. We have proposed that the finals be played in Croke Park or a provincial venue as part of a significant fixture. The prospect of Clare playing Wicklow or Sligo against Fermanagh in an All-Ireland U17 final is exciting and would offer a developmental platform for the future.”

With regard to the U17 hurling championship, Martin added: “The minor B championship takes place during July and August and clashes with the adult competitions in the respective counties. Moving this competition to U17 would re-energise it. There would be no Galway, Cork or Kilkenny ~competing, at the moment.

“We do feel, however, there would be room for another competition incorporating the top counties in the future.”