The GAA’s director general Paraic Duffy has admitted club players have every right to feel let down by the decisions made at the GAA’s Annual Congress in Carlow last weekend.
The major talking points from the Congress – were the introduction of the ‘mark’ and the decision to reduce the age limits in the Minor and U21 GAA championships.
The issue regarding the need to look after club players all across Ireland was largely ignored, and any proposals to improve the situation were rejected.
That has left many disillusioned with the game they love, and more and more club players are walking away from the sport.
For years, club players have expressed their frustrations and anger at the fact there is no devised structure for them when it comes to League and Championship clashes.
However, appeals for change have again fallen on deaf ears, and director general Paraic Duffy has admitted they’re right to feel let down.
Hundreds of club players are left without games for weeks at a time – especially during the summer when the inter-county season is at its peak.
Usually the club championships are put on hold, and the only games on offer are league fixtures.
However, many clubs refuse to participate in those league games without their county stars – and that means many club players are left without games during the summer.
That has led countless players to depart to the USA to play GAA for the summer, and that often makes life difficult for many rural clubs when that happens.
Duffy told The Irish Independent, “I was very pleased with motions that were passed on Friday night (minor and U-21 age limits) but was disappointed with what happened on Saturday morning.
“Even people who were against change talked about the need to do more for club players.
“Some of the motions that were rejected would have benefited club players – there’s no doubt about that.
“I think club players will feel we let them down a little bit. We did well on the burnout issue but club players will be entitled to say, ‘what’s in all of this for us?’
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