Mid Tipp chief says GAA need to get priorities right
Unanimously elected chairman at the division’s annual convention, the Loughmore-Castleiney man acknowledges that in the wake of decisions taken at national level regarding inter-county competition next year, and the consequent impact on local championships, the scheduling of games locally in the coming year is going to be challenging.
However, he said it is up to all involved to do their best to make the new club championship structures work.
“It is my firm view that if we approach the coming year with positivity it can and will work,” he said.
Referring to the “negative Nellies” who, he said, seemed determined not to accept the democratic wishes of the clubs, he added: “One wonders if some are more concerned for their own little patch rather than the greater worth of both hurling and football for the majority of those who play our games.
“Everything should not be about catering for the elite players while brushing aside the needs of those who may never have the privilege of wearing a county jersey. We all want to see our county teams as successful as possible but let’s not let it define us. Let’s work together for the greater good of all who participate in our games.
“Let’s stop trying to put more and more obstacles in the way of our players as has been done again with the re-introduction of the quarter-finals in the National League and the unwillingness to allow counties the full month of October to complete their championships.”
Cullen had this to say about the additional inter-county games scheduled for 2018: “Revenue from television and media rights now appear to be driving our national fixtures plan, again at the expense of those who our national administrators describe as the grassroots of the association.
“If we are not careful, I feel the very people who have made the association what it is will turn their backs on our games and players, not out of choice but out of necessity. We have introduced so many additional games at national level that it will become financially unsustainable for many of our loyal supporters and their families to attend our county games.”
Liam Hennessy,Moycarkey; Jonathan Cullen, Loughmore; Joe O’Sullivan, Moycarkey; Sally Young, Drom; Catherine Dunne, Moyne; John Collins, Gortnahoe;Liz Flanagan, Holycross;Matty Ryan, Drom; Trevor Hassett, Drom; Jim Max, Sarsfields.
