Kevin O'Donovan: I’d rather 100% of players are active the next six weeks

LAUNCH: Pictured at the launch of the 2022 Co-Op Superstores Cork Club Hurling Championships is Liam O’Flaherty, Dairygold general manager agribusiness with Tadhg O’Sullivan of Courcey Rovers, John Cronin of Lisgoold , Tommy O’Connell of Midleton, Darren Browne of Kanturk, and Fionn Herlihy of Ballygiblin at Páirc Ui Chaoimh. The battle for supremacy in the Cork championships get under way this week. Pic: Jim Coughlan

The criticism that the GAA is handing over the month of August to other sports is “disrespectful” to club players, Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan has said.

A strong supporter of the current calendar, O’Donovan simply cannot understand the argument being made that the GAA is losing out to other sports and giving up promotional and marketing opportunities by finishing the inter-county season in July, as opposed to stretching it out for another four weeks to late August.