JOHN COLEMAN: This greatest of rivalries owes us something

At the moment, the GAA is at a crossroads in its evolution as it faces down Darwin’s old adage about survival of the fittest, writes John Coleman. 

With the introduction of the ‘Super 8’ structure in football, along with the planned revamp of the hurling championship, Croke Park seems to be edging towards the idea of elite inter-county activity being the be all and end all of the association.

The new force of the CPA, however, seems to be more faithful to Darwin, as they seek a structure that ‘fits all’ for the club game to survive in harmony with the inter-county calendar. Despite this crisis of identity, one thing will remain constant: Rivalries. No matter what happens, the future success of the GAA will be dependent on them.