GAA CONGRESS FALL-OUT
New Hurling round robin angers Cork
SUCH is the nature of the GAA that even on such a landmark afternoon as Saturday, plenty of delegates left Croke Park with scowls on their faces.
The Association took one of its most radical departures at Special Congress, when 62 per cent of delegates, a little more than the thirdfifths required, supported the Munster and Leinster championship being played on a round-robin basis over a three-year trial.
Director-general Paraic Duffy accepted that it is impossible to keep everyone happy. Significantly, three of the main dual counties — Cork, Tipperary and Dublin — were its most vocal opponents, with each coming up with their own Championship structure, all of which were roundly defeated.
‘We have always said that these are trials and nobody will be in the slightest bit put out if in three years’ time there is a better way of doing things. People will judge it after three years,’ Duffy said. ‘If it throws up problems we haven’t thought of, and that can happen the GAA being the GAA, we will deal with it.
‘There were 38 per cent of people not in favour of the changes, so not everyone is happy. There are some counties that have opposed everything but that’s always the way in the GAA.’
Cork chairman Ger Lane says that his county’s opposition is based in practicality. As a strong dual county, the increase in intercounty games across both codes will cause them a severe headache — and they are not the only one.
‘Dual counties were very much against it, which was significant,’ Lane explained. ‘With all due respect to some of the smaller counties that spoke in favour of the motion, they have little knowledge of the impact this will have on a county like Cork or Dublin, where we have a lot of clubs.’
As both Cork and Dublin expect to compete in football’s Super Eights, it means a pretty busy summer. ‘Both Cork and Dublin are successful counties at both hurling and football and we would expect to be in the Super Eight in football. Granted, we wouldn’t have been in it the last couple of years but we expect to be there and expect to be at the business-end of the hurling championship every year,’ Lane said.
‘It is going to be a very difficult one for us and this sends out a signal to dual counties that Croke Park are moving ahead, regardless of our opinions.’
However, the new Championship structure ensured that there will be 24 free weekends next year for club activity with April ring-fenced for the club. The All-Ireland hurling final will be played on August 19, two weeks earlier, so Duffy doesn’t see how it will create more challenges for dual counties.
‘If counties look at this honestly – from May 1 until the first teams are out in the Championship, how many club championship games are actually played? How many games in Dublin or Mayo or Galway hurling are played during the summer? I’d say the number is very few,’ Duffy said.
‘Now, they can start their Championship if they want to in April. They will have a four or five-week gap and they will be finished a lot earlier. I see it as a positive opportunity and I think counties will embrace that.’
A new tier two Championship was also created while the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups will also be played as round-robins. The bottom team in the Leinster group will be relegated to tier two, replaced by the tier two champion unless that is Kerry, who will play off against the bottom team in Munster. A Cork motion to exempt Munster teams from the prospect of a relegation play-off was roundly defeated.
Bringing Championship games to venues such as Cusack Park and Pearse Stadium is seen as one of the advantages. However, Waterford’s Walsh Park will need an upgrade and Duffy confirmed Croke Park will work with them on that.
Galway’s hurlers were given entry into Leinster’s under-21 championship and a guaranteed two games at minor level.
A plan was adopted to develop Gaelic Games in Belfast, the start of a process to lift hurling in Ulster. ‘The plan will be a boost to Antrim. It will be a big plus for them and encourage them,’ Duffy explained.
Motions were also passed to restrict inter-county challenge games to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, in a bid to help clubs, while replays will be reduced with the provision of a second period of extra-time and a free-taking competition if still tied.
But this Special Congress will be remembered for a radical departure from tradition even if, as Cork say, there may be trouble ahead.