McAvoy warns of ‘devaluing’ effect of provincial separation
ULSTER GAA secretary Brian McAvoy has warned against adopting any championship structure which would remove the link between the provincial championships and the All-Ireland series.
In his report to Ulster GAA’s convention at the end of the month, McAvoy insists any move to decouple the provinces from the All-Ireland series would “devalue” the competitions, referencing the Ulster hurling championship as an example.
“The separation of the provincial championships from the All-Ireland series remains on the table, though an Ulster Championship to consist of 1 x Round-Robin Group of 5 and 1x Round-Robin Group of 4 has replaced the initial proposal of two groups of four, which would mean one Ulster county being designated to Connacht on an annual basis,” he wrote.
“I’ve previously stated my strong desire to ensure that all nine Ulster counties get to compete in their own provincial championship, so this amendment to the initial option is a welcome development.
“However, I have also previously expressed my opposition to the decoupling of the provincial championships from the All-Ireland series. Doing this would devalue the provincial championships and counties would undoubtedly use them as preparation for the forthcoming league/ championship.
“As evidence, you don’t have to look any further than the now defunct Ulster Senior Hurling Championship – during the 1990s and 2000s it was a competitive competition with
Antrim, Down and
Derry all enjoying success.
“However, when it became decoupled from the Liam MacCarthy Cup series it effectively lost its prestige and was no longer treated with the same relevance by players and supporters alike. I fear the same would happen to the Ulster Senior Football Championship.” McAvoy (left) also addressed the frustrated issue of the development of Casement Park and expressed hope that the project could see “real progress” in 2021.
“Without planning, however, as our Project Board Chairman Tom Daly has said for many years, there is no project. That remained the case until mid-October when (Northern Ireland) Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced to our delight that she would be recommending a notice of approval for the project. On 18th November that Notice was issued, all of 1,359 days after the planning application had been submitted.
“This was a result that lifted the spirits of all Ulster Gaels as for the second time we have secured the support of Government Ministers and planning officials for our new, fit-for-purpose provincial stadium in Ireland’s second city, Belfast. I thank them for the time they devoted to the application.”