Gavin asks GAA to fix scheduling

JIM GAVIN has urged the GAA to re-schedule their third level competitions to the end of January and start of February, while moving the National Leagues to later this month, in the interest of player welfare. The Dublin manager was the centre of controversy last week when Brian Howard didn’t line out for DIT in the Sigerson Cup, but Gavin insists that the young Raheny attacker, who scored a point against Donegal on Saturday, was under no pressure from the county set-up to make that decision. ‘I’ve always said that to the players that their life is defined by the choices they make. I have a dressing-room of grown men and they simply make their decisions,’ Gavin said. However the Dublin boss says that it is time that Croke Park grasped the nettle of the scheduling of the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups to ease player welfare concerns. ‘It’s the same issues that come up every January and February about the Fitzgibbon, Sigerson and Trench Cups. I’m surprised we’re still playing National League in the last week of January and first week of February. There is no need for it. ‘I think Sigerson and Fitzgibbon are very important competitions. You can’t play before the Christmas break, because of exams and that’s the most important thing for students. Some third level institutions have exams in early January so the best time to play it in the calendar is around now. ‘It needs to be given space. It’s simply a matter of pushing back the national football and hurling leagues. It’s a simple solution but I don’t think anyone is listening.’ Gavin also praised his team’s mental strength as they were pushed to the pin of their collar by Donegal in an entertaining tussle at Croke Park on Saturday.