Kerins O'Rahilly's suggest solution to 'level the playing field' in Kerry 

The Strand Road club say their solution would 'level the playing field, provide more meaningful competition and bring back spectators'.

CHANGES AFOOT? David Moran, Kerins O'Rahilly's and Adam Segal, Shannon Rangers in action at Austin Stack Park this year.

Recently relegated Tralee outfit Kerins O'Rahilly's have suggested a solution to 'level the playing field' in the Kerry county championships.

O'Rahilly's - who are also the reigning Kerry club and Munster champions - were relegated from the eight-club senior ranks in the Kingdom following their defeat to fellow Tralee side Na Gaeil last weekend. 

The Strand Road club's relegation follows that of Austin Stacks in recent years, who were also the reigning club champions at the time of their fall to the intermediate ranks.

Following the relegation decider last Saturday, winning Na Gaeil manager Paul Fitzmaurice said he felt for the losers.

“Well the game ebbed and flowed but I will deviate from that, personally I think that was the best game in the County Championship so far this year, hands down. 

"Kerins O’Rahilly's are in a position, nobody wants to be in, but they cannot come out and say this because it might be deemed as sore losers, but I think it's an absolute disgrace that after that performance today that effort, everything they invested in, not just this year every year, that they are gone from the County Championship an established club.

"And there's Districts that won no game in the county championship this year. And one District gathered points from a walkover from another. And all those teams can play uncontested, unquestioned in a county championship next year is wrong.”

Rahillys' statement, written by club PRO Pat Flavin and posted to their website on Thursday morning, began: "As the dust settled following our defeat to Na Gaeil on Saturday night last, consigning us to the intermediate ranks for the first time in our history, the sense of disappointment was tinged with anger and ire that this situation could occur whilst we are still the reigning Munster senior club champions.

"Anger with the county board and their sense that eight senior clubs is the maximum allowed at county championship level and ire at the special status afforded to divisional sides who are exempt from relegation/demotion from the top tier."

The solution to the current format, the club suggests, lies in a rearrangement of the grade where the Divisions/Districts play their football at. 

From their perspective, it is a change that "could suit everybody".

They propose that Divisional/District sides should be "accommodated at county intermediate level whilst increasing the number of clubs in the senior county championship to 16".

Below is an outline of the Strand Road outfit's suggested rejig:

• Existing eight senior clubs be joined in the senior county championship by the eight quarter-finalists from this year's intermediate championship.
• The remaining eight intermediate clubs be joined by the eight divisional sides who will compete with only junior clubs available to them. "This may require some tweaking as Mid Kerry would be shorn of four clubs leaving them with just two to pick from but its not insurmountable."
• Relegation/demotion to take place at senior county championship level with the divisions remaining sacrosanct and if good enough progressing to intermediate and then onto to senior.

The reasons as to why the storied Tralee club see the format change working out for all parties? 

They believe "that this makes sense as it affords the divisional sides a place in the championship at a level where they can be more competitive".

The statement concluded: "Currently this is not the case for the majority as none of West Kerry, South Kerry, Feale Rangers, Shannon Rangers, St Brendan's picked up any points this year.

"It also prevents 'superpowers' emerging at divisional level - no disrespect to the backroom teams of Mid and East Kerry but with each having four intermediate sides in their ranks, it's no surprise that this year’s county final is a repeat of last year's."

A change to the format, the club believes, will "level the playing field, provide more meaningful competition and bring back spectators. 

"Compare the crowds in Austin Stack Park last Saturday night and Sunday with the attendances at the two county senior semi-finals - think back to the meeting of Castleisland Desmonds and Fossa this year where over 3,000 people attended.

"The passion and excitement witnessed far surpasses anything seen to date at county championship level.

"The proposal is worth a go - it's not a knee-jerk reaction to seeing Tralee reduced to one senior club, it will benefit all sides and looking at the bigger picture it may well benefit the county team too."

The full Kerins O'Rahilly's statement can be viewed here.