Championship burnout 'a myth'

All-Ireland-winning Dublin footballer James McCarthy has poured scorn on the GAA myth that an increase in the number of championship games would heighten the risk of player burnout.

Under GPA proposals for a radical overhaul of the football calendar, counties would play seven league games in the space of eight weeks and enjoy no more than a fortnight’s reprieve before lining out for up to three consecutive weekends of provincial action. Dublin played seven games en-route to lifting Sam Maguire this year, but were they to achieve Leinster and All-Ireland glory under the GPA’s system, they would face a minimum of 10 games.

“You don’t get burnt out playing more games. It is the gap between games that burns you more than anything,” said McCarthy. “Mentally, the gap is more draining. You play a game and have to wait five weeks for your next game, it is crazy. Playing every two weeks leaves plenty of time for rest and recovery. You are not training as hard between games. It makes more sense. The two problems are the length of the season and the gaps between championship games. This proposal does a pretty good job in tackling both.”