DJ Carey: Lowering minor age limit will only cause more problems

KILKENNY hurling legend DJ Carey has warned of increased levels of burnout in young players following the decision to change the age of the minor intercounty grade to U17 from 2018.

And Carey believes he would not have featured on Kilkenny’s All- Ireland minor winning team in 1988 if the U17 rule applied then.

Carey explained that an extra year’s development from 17 to 18 years of age allowed him enough time to catch up physically with his peers. And Carey says lowering the age limit from U18 will result in bigger problems for young players thrust into development squads earlier than he believes they should be.Carey also warned some young players will drop out of Gaelic Games because of the potential to win too much, too soon.