The unseen consequences of preventing 17-year-olds playing in GAA's adult grades

'We have four 17-year-olds who would be well capable of playing but instead they were away playing soccer because they were not allowed to play'

Martin Shovlin: The 60 year oild (in black) and his 61 year old brother Colm had to play an Intermediate championship game for Naomh Ultan against Dungloe because GAA rule prevents 17 year olds playing adult grades.

A veteran Donegal club footballer has accused the GAA of having an unnecessary bias against small country clubs.

Colm Shovlin was speaking after he and his brother Martin - both of whom are in their early 60s - had to play Intermediate championship football for Naomh Ultan in the 2-13 to 0-3 loss at Dungloe recently.