O’Sullivan sceptical on calls for Munster overhaul

Kerry chairman Patrick O’Sullivan is not convinced by the round robin proposal aimed at raising the standard of the Munster senior football championship.

Mick O’Dwyer has backed the idea for Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford to play off against one another, with the top two qualifying to face Kerry and Cork in semi-finals.

The restructuring could be debated at next month’s Munster Council meeting but O’Sullivan is unsure about the alternative.

“The Sunday Game can talk about these things. The likes of O’Rourke, Spillane and other past players can criticise the structures, which they’re entitled to do, but the debate has yet to happen at county, provincial and central levels. You would have to say the system has its faults but it also has its traditions and if we start looking at top, middle and lower tiers, you can lose traditional values and special days.

“Unlike anywhere else, the Munster Council, through their gates, fund clubs and we’d be anxious to see that kept as it’s been very good for Kerry.”

O’Sullivan also believes Tipperary may not need the crutch of a round robin series in the years to come as they attempt to translate their underage success to senior level.

“You can see Tipperary progressing in the coming years. They’re not a million miles away and will get stronger. The big issue for them will be becoming more and more of a dual county and the headaches of club fixtures and stuff like that. Clare did reasonably well against Cork while Limerick have been strong in recent years.”

O’Sullivan admires a lot about the way Tipperary are going about their business. “There are certain counties who are never going to win provincial titles and there are counties who are appointing different managers with different ideas as a quick fix. Tipperary are developing a base and building it with exceptional people in key positions.”

O’Sullivan was in New York last month with selector Mikey Sheehy, U21 manager Darragh Ó Sé, Eoin Liston and Ogie Moran, on a fundraising mission which saw €163,000 put towards a proposed centre of excellence in Firies. “The past players drew more attention in Gaelic Park than the games that were on. We are fortunate to have players who generate a feelgood factor but how do you do that with counties who haven’t had success? The GPA are in America fundraising but they also have a role in developing these counties. It’s alright to be gathering money but you need to do more than that for the games. Everybody wants to be Donegal because they’re on top of the world. Progress is made through development.”