Mayo clubs plead for underage reduction to 11-a-side games

Player participation numbers at underage levels in remote parts of Mayo are running critically low, based on the number of clubs calling for smaller sided games.

Ahead of tonight’s Mayo Bord na nÓg AGM in MacHale Park, three clubs have put forward motions recommending that matches be cut to 11-a-side instead of the already reduced 13-a-side at one or more underage grades.

The Achill club, one of the units hit hardest by rural depopulation, are among those calling for change.

They write: “With the decline of population affecting many areas, clubs with fewer players should be facilitated by the provision of 11 a-side competitions at U16, to ensure access to Gaelic football for all players.”

The Tourmakeady club, situated close to Lough Mask, want a new competition established purely for smaller clubs, defined as those who have 17 or less players available, at U12, U14, U16 and minor level where no amalgamations or second teams are permitted.

In this championship, they go as far as to call for nine or 10-a-side games if either club only have that amount of players available. They proposed 11-a-side matches if there are between 11 and 13 players ready to tog out.

Mayo Gaels, based between Castlebar and Claremorris, are recommending “that clubs have an option to field an 11-a-side team in an U14, U16 and minor 13-a-side league in Division 3, 4 and 5 or championship B or C game”.

Even a club with the pedigree of Crossmolina have recognised the difficulties faced by rural clubs in the county.

They propose that a player whose club can’t field a team at a particular level be permitted to line out for their choice of neighbouring clubs. Although, they stress the player would then have to play for their home club upon reaching adult level.

The predicament in rural Mayo is reflected in other counties along the western seaboard even in a traditional football county like Kerry where amalgamations and 13-a-side games have become the norm.

Last year, the U13 county competition was discontinued in preference for 13-a-side divisional contests. In the first round of this year’s U21 club championship in Kerry, five of six games were conceded. All the walkovers were given by rural teams or amalgamations: Waterville/Dromid Pearses, Ballydonoghue, Ballymacelligott/Churchill, Templenoe and Keel/Listry.

Thirteen-a-side has been a suggestion put forward for Gaelic football on an entertainment basis but for those in rural areas where youth is dwindling, it’s become more of a necessity and, as the proposals in Mayo suggest, may not be sufficiently low to accommodate just how scant their resources truly are.

Meanwhile, the Leinster Club SHC semi-final clash between Dublin champions Cuala and Kilkenny victors Clara at Parnell Park is TG4’s live game on Sunday with a 2pm throw-in.

Deferred coverage of the Munster Club SFC semi-final pitting Killarney Legion against Nemo Rangers in Páirc Uí Rinn will be shown afterwards.