Ruth’s call to arms on behalf of clubs

FORMER WEXFORD hurler and footballer Declan Ruth has issued a call to arms to all club players in his new role as county co-ordinator of the recently-launched Club Players’ Association. The Rapparees-Starlights clubman has taken up an important role in the fledgling body which was established by Monaghan man Declan Brennan and was formally launched last week.

‘All of us are former players from inter-county as well as club,’ Ruth explains. ‘Our people have spoken to and have the support of the Gaelic Players’ Association whose members are naturally all club players also.

‘We all agree that the current fixtures arrangements are doing irreparable damage to clubs and club players and causing extreme friction between loyal club players and loyal club mentors and selectors.

‘This is totally unnecessary and would be overcome in large part if a proper and organised fixtures calendar was in place in every county. That is our main objective.

‘We are a dual county and the vast majority of us want to remain so. We therefore need an organised system more than most counties for our games to thrive both at club and inter-county level.

‘The current system is heavily weighted against dual counties and favours single game counties.’

Ruth notes that Wexford were the first county in Ireland to officially endorse the new organisation at the recent county Convention.

The next step now is for people to register on www.gaaclubplayers.com. as soon as possible. It costs nothing to join, and players, mentors, supporters and all club members are all welcome.

When you have registered there is also a second step which you can follow which gives you a chance to outline your own points of view.

There’s not a club in this county which hasn’t had an issue with fixtures, so now’s the time to do something practical about it. Declan will be happy to answer any queries as the CPA gathers momentum.