GAA’s president, Jarlath Burns, has recognised the unsettling predicament brought upon the Central Council through the suggestion of swapping the upcoming All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals, set for Saturday, with the Tailteann Cup semi-finals intended for Sunday. Burns expressed his concern on Morning Ireland by RTÉ, explaining that with only five hurling games remaining, three planned for a Saturday, and 14 football matches, the council had to decide which sport required more nurturing and prominence. It placed Árd Chomhairle in a distressing state, he claimed, as promoting both – the hurling championship as well as the Tailteann Cup – was their goal.
The extraordinary possibility that the participants of the Tailteann Cup’s semi-finals, a second-tier football championship by GAA, would be notified to play a day prior than the proposed day in the fixtures calendar sparked immense disagreement. Sligo chair Seán Carroll, who campaigned to other counties through email ahead of the Sunday’s meeting, was particularly dissatisfied.
Burns acknowledged Sligo for their efforts. “In case they ever considered renaming the Tailteann Cup, it should be changed to the Seán Carroll Cup!” He exclaimed. Carroll, the chair of Sligo, advocated for his county’s semi-final to remain on Sunday, deserving significant commendation for this, Burns said.
Despite the decision going against what he personally preferred – hurling on Sunday – Burns recognises that Sligo merits applause for their passion in wanting their match to take place on Sunday. Additional rationale also existed for the prospective rescheduling of the hurling quarter-finals, which includes Clare vs Wexford and Dublin vs Cork.
As Wexford prepares to tackle Clare this Saturday, they are additionally burdened with the responsibility of hosting the hurling and camogie Féile. Hundreds of local volunteers across the county will be engaged in this venture and face the dilemma of choosing between heading to Thurles or accommodating the incoming teams at home. This is a situation that’s far from ideal, as admitted by one of the officials.
Further comments made by the official point towards the complex nature of the current league, along with the need for consultations and necessary adjustments expected to take place next year.
Despite Sligo’s fierce opposition, the decision to initiate the change was nearly successful with 57.4 per cent, just shy of the necessary 60 per cent.
Furthermore, there is a strong speculation of a revised format for the football championship, as stated confidently by Burns. Extensive consultations with the provinces are ongoing, with Leinster and Munster last week and for this week, the focus is on Ulster and Connacht. These discussions will be taken forward at the upcoming Árd Chomhairle meeting.
One of the main issues, as highlighted by Burns, centres around the lack of peril in the current structure. The league is seen as a platfrom for team development and growth, evident in the examples of Louth, Derry, Westmeath, Laois, and others who have successfully progressed over time.
The championship, on the other hand, needs to embody more risk and uncertainty; the sole purpose is to determine the champion. Although the Tailteann Cup is a thrilling contest within the championship now, a key emerging theme from the ongoing consultations is that the championship needs more unpredictable ups and downs, more victories and losses, more peaks and troughs of emotion. This is likely how next year’s championship will be shaped.