Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The player’s view..
The stuff the GPA sent out was like a dissertation..
TYRONE fullback Ronan Mcnamee believes the GPA should have done more to educate players on the ‘Super Eight’ Championship proposals. The GPA claimed a poll of members found 70% opposed the proposals passed at Saturday’s congress. “I think they could have explained it all a lot better to the players,” he said. “I got an e-mail and a text about it, but the stuff they sent out about the proposals was like reading an essay or a dissertation. “If you couldn’t be bothered reading it or didn’t have time to read it, then you’d be left knowing very little about it.” Mcnamee didn’t take part in the GPA poll, feeling he wasn’t well enough informed on the pros and cons. “It would have been better if they had organised a meeting or some discussion on it, rather than expecting players to read all the material. “Even if they had kept one person from each county informed, but instead there was very little talk about it until the last couple of days. “It’s a big step but it will be exciting to be part of something brand new. “I’m sure anyone from a big county would agree with it. “On paper it looks like it would favour the stronger teams but you never know, there could be a curve ball and some of the smaller counties might benefit.”
Counties not getting in.. the gap is going to become wider
ALTHOUGH Donegal manager Rory Gallagher is in favour of the new system, which comes into operation in 2018, Mcglynn explained: “They’re making decisions on behalf of the players and at the same time they’re making decisions on behalf of the whole GAA community and I think if a consensus was taken of the GAA community, I don’t think it is in favour of the Super Eight so it is disappointing. “I feel that if you’re repeatedly getting into the so-called Super Eight you’re going to get better and better and the other counties that aren’t getting into that Super Eight, the gap is going to become wider.” Donegal have reached the last eight for the past six years in succession. They’ve a 50% success rate when to comes to progressing to the semi-final in that period. Mcglynn continued: “In our eyes it’s an extra two games and if you’re defeated in an All-ireland quarter-final, it frees up the month of August for club football. “If you’re defeated in the first group game, in my opinion, if your chances are gone you’re playing an extra game when there’s no need to. “That’s what’s been decided, it’s up to everyone to work with it. It’ll be interesting to see how they’ll fit it all into the calendar, especially with bringing the All-ireland final three weeks forward and another two games.”