National Forum

Rory Gallagher wants colleges out of McKenna Cup

(Oldest Posts First)

Donegal boss Rory Gallagher believes that third level colleges shouldn't be entered into the Dr McKenna Cup.

The Tir Chonaill County have opted to field their U21s for this year's competition and Gallagher, who has made no secret of the fact that he's not a fan of the competition, has called on the Ulster Council to look into the participation of UUJ, Queen's University and St Mary's University College.

The ex-Fermanagh forward told The Irish News that Donegal "had 15 players committed to colleges and I don't think the colleges should be in the competition."

"They play in the Ryan Cup, the McKenna Cup and the Sigerson and then you are having the CPA (Club Players' Association) telling us an average club player just has a relatively very few games.

"The Ulster Council should look at them (the colleges), and it (the McKenna Cup) is of no use to us as we don't have access to all our players.

Think he has a point alot of colleges are getting dusted in these competitions ,Just play Sigerson in Jan and have it done with & it will keep the pressure off college going inter county players

lasertech (UK) - Posts: 129 - 12/01/2017 21:48:11    1945321

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Replying To lasertech:  "Donegal boss Rory Gallagher believes that third level colleges shouldn't be entered into the Dr McKenna Cup.

The Tir Chonaill County have opted to field their U21s for this year's competition and Gallagher, who has made no secret of the fact that he's not a fan of the competition, has called on the Ulster Council to look into the participation of UUJ, Queen's University and St Mary's University College.

The ex-Fermanagh forward told The Irish News that Donegal "had 15 players committed to colleges and I don't think the colleges should be in the competition."

"They play in the Ryan Cup, the McKenna Cup and the Sigerson and then you are having the CPA (Club Players' Association) telling us an average club player just has a relatively very few games.

"The Ulster Council should look at them (the colleges), and it (the McKenna Cup) is of no use to us as we don't have access to all our players.

Think he has a point alot of colleges are getting dusted in these competitions ,Just play Sigerson in Jan and have it done with & it will keep the pressure off college going inter county players"
The other side of this is players who will never play county football get a chance by playing against county teams in the McKenna cup. It would be more like it if Gallagher used this competition constructively and uses as many u21s to break them in to senior competition

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 13/01/2017 00:54:10    1945366

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Replying To lasertech:  "Donegal boss Rory Gallagher believes that third level colleges shouldn't be entered into the Dr McKenna Cup.

The Tir Chonaill County have opted to field their U21s for this year's competition and Gallagher, who has made no secret of the fact that he's not a fan of the competition, has called on the Ulster Council to look into the participation of UUJ, Queen's University and St Mary's University College.

The ex-Fermanagh forward told The Irish News that Donegal "had 15 players committed to colleges and I don't think the colleges should be in the competition."

"They play in the Ryan Cup, the McKenna Cup and the Sigerson and then you are having the CPA (Club Players' Association) telling us an average club player just has a relatively very few games.

"The Ulster Council should look at them (the colleges), and it (the McKenna Cup) is of no use to us as we don't have access to all our players.

Think he has a point alot of colleges are getting dusted in these competitions ,Just play Sigerson in Jan and have it done with & it will keep the pressure off college going inter county players"
The other side of this is players who will never play county football get a chance by playing against county teams in the McKenna cup. It would be more like it if Gallagher used this competition constructively and uses as many u21s to break them in to senior competition

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 13/01/2017 00:54:14    1945367

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The colleges inclusion in these tournaments makes little or no sense. Take my own county for example. The league is the most important competition to us, as we wont go far in the championship, so you want every player involved in the squad to get time in the team, and yet under the current system, if we reach the O'Byrne cup final, then any of our college based players, wont get to play for the county this year, until the 1st round of the league. Also, by and large if your on a weaker college side, you will learn nothing as a player from being hammered in games.

PK57 (Louth) - Posts: 1653 - 13/01/2017 13:12:55    1945439

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Don't agree at all with Gallagher, if students were not playing in those competitions with their colleges they would be getting flogged to death by club/county anyway. For a lot of college players it is great to be away from the stifling oppression imposed by county managers, teams that are well run, well funded complete with new set of friends and new team mates. Ultimately what the county is getting back is very fit, happy guys, counties should use the competitions to ease younger players to the Senior setups. These college players who play county will be better for the experience.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 13/01/2017 13:42:28    1945448

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I'm not sure I entirely agree with Rory Gallagher. The pre-season competitions should be used by managers to try out new players rather than trying to play your strongest side and taking it so seriously. Fair enough Rory has been unlucky in that Donegal had a lot of players representing the college teams but he still could have fielded a side. Our under-21 side played UUJ last weekend in the McKenna Cup and it was a very enjoyable game and was a great chance to see new players in action. I'd be certain that the game has helped both sides. Fair enough both sides will be playing proper county sides this weekend in Tyrone and Cavan but I don't see them getting a hammering.

I am pretty certain the college sides like playing in the pre-season competitions. It surely is great preparation for them for the Siegerson. Why are managers so reluctant to give fringe players an opportunity?

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1873 - 13/01/2017 13:59:59    1945451

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Some of the weaker Colleges like Carlow IT, GMIT, and Sligo IT are always hammered in these tournaments. You would wonder how they are competing at Sigerson Level. Sligo use to be strong.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 13/01/2017 14:45:24    1945466

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Seems very petulant by Gallagher. I wonder would his opinion change much if he was managing one of these college teams...?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 13/01/2017 18:25:16    1945517

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Replying To arock:  "Don't agree at all with Gallagher, if students were not playing in those competitions with their colleges they would be getting flogged to death by club/county anyway. For a lot of college players it is great to be away from the stifling oppression imposed by county managers, teams that are well run, well funded complete with new set of friends and new team mates. Ultimately what the county is getting back is very fit, happy guys, counties should use the competitions to ease younger players to the Senior setups. These college players who play county will be better for the experience."
if students were not playing in those competitions with their colleges they would be getting flogged to death by club/county anyway. For a lot of college players it is great to be away from the stifling oppression imposed by county managers

I've issue with that statement. No one is forcing anyone to play football, especially county ball.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 13/01/2017 18:39:17    1945521

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Replying To gotmilk:  "if students were not playing in those competitions with their colleges they would be getting flogged to death by club/county anyway. For a lot of college players it is great to be away from the stifling oppression imposed by county managers

I've issue with that statement. No one is forcing anyone to play football, especially county ball."
Yes but the problem for a player is if they wish to play at the top of their game i.e. with their county they are now expected to fall into a fairly demanding regime, a lot of personal sacrifices etc the only rewards are personal, For young players - especially elite players walking away is just not an option, true no one is forcing them to play - except themselves, sometimes a break from the oppressive inter-county scene is welcome.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 15/01/2017 20:21:30    1945899

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Replying To arock:  "
Replying To gotmilk:  "if students were not playing in those competitions with their colleges they would be getting flogged to death by club/county anyway. For a lot of college players it is great to be away from the stifling oppression imposed by county managers

I've issue with that statement. No one is forcing anyone to play football, especially county ball."
Yes but the problem for a player is if they wish to play at the top of their game i.e. with their county they are now expected to fall into a fairly demanding regime, a lot of personal sacrifices etc the only rewards are personal, For young players - especially elite players walking away is just not an option, true no one is forcing them to play - except themselves, sometimes a break from the oppressive inter-county scene is welcome."
If you ask any county player of its tough they will say yes. If you ask them is it worth it they would say yes. If you asked them would they want to walk away they would say no.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 15/01/2017 20:49:13    1945911

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From the man that shows the cup little to zero respect

MapleDoire (Derry) - Posts: 22 - 16/01/2017 11:33:51    1946028

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There has allways been an element of fun and experiment to these competitions , heaven help us if that goes as well .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 16/01/2017 12:56:59    1946068

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Wind your neck in Rory. You've let the U21 take the place of the senior team. This shows you've no respect for a pre season competition that every other county uses as a chance to look at new players. He wants the collages removed!!!!! Truth be known, a lot of Donegal would be happy if he was removed from the managers position. It's not personal, just he's taking the team backwards and players are walking away due to his attitude to players from certain clubs.

Bain (Donegal) - Posts: 470 - 16/01/2017 19:57:39    1946158

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Replying To Damothedub:  "There has allways been an element of fun and experiment to these competitions , heaven help us if that goes as well ."
McKenna Cup and O Byrne Cup fun ????

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 16/01/2017 23:05:57    1946200

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Replying To Greengrass:  "McKenna Cup and O Byrne Cup fun ????"
I always enjoyed going to them in a more relaxed sit back and see type way , players and coaches did not ,have never put the O Byrne cup as a priority , I even enjoyed watching us play a college side , yes Fun the F word , before the other F word starts Fireworks in the business part of the season

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 17/01/2017 10:57:54    1946260

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Some of the weaker Colleges like Carlow IT, GMIT, and Sligo IT are always hammered in these tournaments. You would wonder how they are competing at Sigerson Level. Sligo use to be strong.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - 13/01/2017 14:45:24

@FoolsGold Well that period for Sligo had Paul Finlay, Kevin Cassidy, Keith Higgins, Christy Toye among other handy players...so not hard to see why they were successful for Sigerson. However, I am not sure a single College has won any of these provincials i.e., I think the comment can be leveled at all the colleges. A few years back I recall Sligo giving NUIG a 'lesson' in the FBD league (2014 maybe?)

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 17/01/2017 14:29:55    1946324

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Replying To seanfinn:  "Some of the weaker Colleges like Carlow IT, GMIT, and Sligo IT are always hammered in these tournaments. You would wonder how they are competing at Sigerson Level. Sligo use to be strong.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - 13/01/2017 14:45:24

@FoolsGold Well that period for Sligo had Paul Finlay, Kevin Cassidy, Keith Higgins, Christy Toye among other handy players...so not hard to see why they were successful for Sigerson. However, I am not sure a single College has won any of these provincials i.e., I think the comment can be leveled at all the colleges. A few years back I recall Sligo giving NUIG a 'lesson' in the FBD league (2014 maybe?)"
Did UU not play in the final a few years ago?

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 17/01/2017 14:47:19    1946333

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