Another Sunday, another tale of club players being abused

Once more the club players of Ireland provided a day of fabulous entertainment.

From the great entertainers of Corofin racking up yet another Galway football title, to the footballers of Padraig Pearses and St Brigid’s scrapping like dogs in Roscommon, or Patrickswell opening a can of whoop ass on Ballybrown in Limerick, to St Rynagh’s bridging a 23-year gap in Offaly.

County finals are special and this is a special time of the year, when the parish comes out in force to celebrate and support their teams.

Is there a better time of the year than county final season, asks @Woolberto #TheToughest @AIB_GAAhttps://t.co/DLdaoA0g6x

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 18, 2016

However, as discussed on last week’s GAA Hour, club players are desperate for a greater say in how the games are run. Former Monaghan selector Declan Brennan is in the process of forming a club players association, so that the voice of the 99.5% can be heard.

What is the need, you wonder? We have thousands turning out to watch these matches all over the country. The club players are feted as county championships come to their conclusions.

Perhaps. But how many were in Tuam on Sunday afternoon to see Roscommon intermediate football champions Kilmore take on Monivea-Abbey in a Connacht quarter-final?

Kilmore were beaten 1-16 to 0-9 by the Galway side, which is unsurprising seeing as Kilmore had required 20 minutes of extra-time to win the county title less than 24 hours earlier.

If this sounds familiar it is because the very same scenario faced Donegal IFC winners Beart last weekend. It didn’t end well for them either, as they were soundly beaten by Bredagh of Down.

If this sounds familiar it is because it happens EVERY year.

Being asked to play two of the most important matches of the year in the space of 24 hours is just wrong. Some county champions struggle when they have six days to celebrate and prepare.

@AGBArklow hope yoir pitch isnt too big. Few of our lads a bit worse for wear after the week of celebrating.

— Taghmon Camross GAA (@taghmoncamross) October 20, 2016

But 24 hours is ridiculous, and as the Galway Footballers Homepage on Facebook pointed out, there was no good reason for Kilmore to be rushed into action. Monivea-Abbey will not play their semi-final until November 6.

It is hard to argue with their sentiment. Beart and Kilmore had little chance to make their mark in their respective provinces and losing so soon after the biggest win of their year must impact on their glory.

The sooner Brennan’s association is up and the running the better. The sooner club players are afforded a proper window to complete their championships the better.

Cavan SFC final replay

Ramor United 0-10 Castlerahan 0-8

Clare SFC final replay
Kilmurry-Ibrickane 2-13 Cratloe 0-6

Galway SFC final
Corofin 0-16  Salthill-Knocknacarra 0-11

London SFC final
St Kiernans 0-12 Tir Chonaill Gaels 0-5

Roscommon SFC final
St Brigid’s 2-14 Padraig Pearses 2-7

Ulster club SHC final
Slaughtneil 2-14 Loughgiel 1-13

Laois SHC final replay
Borris-Kilcotton 1-18 Rathdowney-Errill 2-10

Leitrim SHC final
Cluainin Iomaint 0-14 Carrick 1-6

Limerick SHC final
Patrickswell 1-26 Ballybrown 1-7

Mayo SHC final
Ballyhaunis 1-15 Tooreen 2-12

Meath SHC final
Kiltale 0-17 Killyon 1-13

Offaly SHC final
St Rynagh’s 2-16 Birr 1-15

Waterford SHC final
Ballygunner 4-20 Passage 1-12

Westmeath SHC final
Raharney 2-18 Clonkill 1-12

Wicklow SHC final replay
Bray Emmets 1-17 Carnew Emmets 1-6