Clubs will be very busy

IF YOU happen to be an adult club G.A.A. player, take a deep breath and brace yourself because there’s going to be no let-up from now until October at the very earliest. Domestic action returns with a bang this coming weekend, with a full programme of hurling championship games down for decision.

And while the involvement of the Under-21 hurlers in the All-Ireland semi-final on August 4 may lead to a reduced programme over the following two weekends, the general trend will be for clubs to be inundated with fixtures after being treated as second-class citizens since the end of April.

Spare a thought, in particular, for the Intermediate ‘A’ hurlers of Oulart-The Ballagh who have a league final against HWH-Bunclody this evening (Tuesday), and are then scheduled to play Liam Mellows in the championship just three nights later.

Apparently, the Coolgreany club sought a Friday fixture, but surely that league game could have been put on hold as a result?

And given that clubs will be focusing on last-minute preparations midweek, it will be interesting to see how many of the 13 remaining Greenstar Under-20 hurling games down for decision on Wednesday will survive.

Already St. Martin’s, Monageer-Boolavogue and Moguegeen Gaels have given walkovers. Just eight of the 16 football matches due to be played last Wednesday took place in a farcical competition.