Telling youngsters they can't go to games 'soul-destroying', Cork U20 manager says

The Government loosened regulations regarding the number of panelists who can attend a senior inter-county championship game. But not for under-age

Cork U20 manager Pat Ryan: 'That you can only bring 24 players is hard. It is hard for them that they can't go see the match'. Picture: Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Telling underage inter-county players they have not made their respective county’s matchday panel and are therefore locked out of the match venue is “soul-destroying”, Cork U20 hurling manager Pat Ryan has said.

The move to Level 3 restrictions last week saw the Government loosen regulations regarding the number of panelists who can attend a senior inter-county championship game. But while full senior inter-county panels can now gain entry on matchdays, this privilege has not been extended to minor or U20 level, which has been capped at 24 players per panel.