Páraic Duffy calling for U21 football competition to stop to address player burnout
By John Fogarty
The GAA hierarchy will attempt to discontinue the U21 football championship as part of their proposals to address player overtraining and burnout.
Among 11 recommendations announced this morning, GAA director general Páraic Duffy is calling for the U21 football competition to be discontinued from 2018 but the hurling equivalent will be retained.
However, in the event of the U21 FC's potential abolishment not being palatable Duffy suggests an U19 championship may be an alternative.
There are also proposals to transform the minor grade from U18 to U17, end the All-Ireland intermediate hurling and junior football competitions as well as play extra-time at the end of all drawn games, including All-Irelands finals.
Despite there having been lucrative replays in All-Ireland hurling finals and All-Ireland football semi-finals in recent years, the GAA seem to be prepared to sacrifice money-spinning days to address their fixture situation.
“The time has come to take decisive action,” declared Duffy about the issue of player burnout, overtraining and fixtures in the discussion paper.
As expected, the calendar-year fixtures schedule is again on the agenda after a vote was postponed earlier this year when concerns were raised about its feasibility particularly from dual counties.
Instead of one week, it is now envisaged that the All-Ireland finals would be brought forward by two weeks.
It is also hoped counties will favour the abolishment of Division 1 semi-finals by 2017.
Duffy said that the recommendations are primarily focused on assisting club players, who have become increasingly disenchanted by the imbalance in favour of the inter-county scene.
"I would much prefer that we implement the necessary changes proposed here on the grounds of player welfare and fairness, but, if this does not convince some of us, then self-interest might: we should be fully aware that the GAA will continue to lose club players who are not offered a regular, planned and coherent set of competitive matches."
1. From 2018, regrade the minor hurling and football competitions as minor U17.
2. From 2018, play the new minor U17 competitions alongside the senior championships, as is the case with the current minor championships.
3. From 2018, discontinue the U21 football championship.
4. From 2018, complete the All-Ireland U21 championship before the All-Ireland senior hurling final.
5. From 2017, increase the number of two-code league weekends.
6. From 2017, end the Division 1 semi-finals.
7. From 2017, establish in rule that players not selected in 26-man league and championship match-day panels must be available to their clubs.
8. From 2017, bring forward the All-Ireland senior football and hurling championships by two weeks.
9. From 2017, play extra-time at the end of the all drawn games including All-Ireland finals. Replays to be fixed only after a drawn result after extra-time.
10. From 2017, end the All-Ireland junior football and intermediate hurling championships.
11. From 2018, introduce a calendar-year fixtures schedule.
