Ronan McCarthy labels absence of Football Championship backdoor as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘lacking imagination’

“What I find amazing is that Croke Park’s own report showed that the cost of the injury scheme last year, in a shortened GAA season, was nearly what it was for a normal season.” 

Cork manager Ronan McCarthy. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Cork manager Ronan McCarthy has said it is “ridiculous” that there is no backdoor in this year’s All-Ireland Football Championship, accusing Croke Park of showing “a lack of imagination” when drawing up the football season.

McCarthy was critical last year of the decision not to afford football teams a second chance during the winter All-Ireland Championship. The Cork manager remarked this evening that the decision to abandon the qualifier system for a second successive season was an even “worse” one.