Oisin McConville is calling for separate seasons for club and inter-county activity.

Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, the Crossmaglen joint-manager and former Armagh star wants new GAA president Aoghan O Fearghaill to give serious consideration to his proposal. McConville believes it's no longer feasible for the club and inter-county seasons to overlap.

"It's invariably at this time of the year as the championship season draws near that we become even more aware of what is a demanding fixtures itinerary at both club and county level," he states.

"No longer, I feel, can games in both sectors go hand in hand. I am utterly convinced after much reflection that the year should be divided up in such a way that inter-county fixtures would gain an even more significant share of the spotlight while club fixtures would be accommodated in the latter stages of the year.

"Thus I would propose that the Allianz Leagues and inter-county championships should run from February until August with the remaining months of the year, or at least the greater portion of this period, set aside for club fare.

"The various provincial football championships and the All-Ireland football qualifiers are major revenue streams for the GAA and they showcase the matches that the public really want to see.

"I know that my suggestion will probably raise the hackles of club officials up and down the country, but I honestly believe that unless the entire focus is switched onto the inter-county arena we are in danger of becoming submerged in fixtures chaos.

"As things stand, county team managers rule the roost to a certain extent.

"In many cases they decide if a full programme of fixtures should be staged in any given county on any given Sunday and this has resulted in various county championships being seriously diluted or put on hold until the latter part of the year.

"All I am proposing is that the fixtures year is more markedly defined and that all clubs find themselves in the same boat come the autumn. This would see them go into action with their full quota of county players, thus enhancing their chances of success in their domestic competitions."

Tweet

Most Read Stories