Something has got to give

IT looks like we are edging closer to a change to the fixtures calendar as we know it. With the CPA and GPA calling for stricter periods of play, I was reminded of that fun period when everyone with a pack of crayons, and a healthy disdain for the GAA’s Competition Controls Committee came up with their plan of how to fix the season. Many were so complicated that they could have passed for an algorithm to predict A-level grades. It would seem that the brave minds of the GPA and CPA see the future in shortened seasons for inter-county and club. There are many who would say hurrah to that, but what I ask is what are you going to cut? Plenty of folks can have ideas of how to change the season, but who’s going to put forward the competitions that must be sacrificed to make way for the periods of down time for players? Because for the season to work, players are going to need an extended break from playing. And if you do that, then that means something has got to give.

RONAN SCOTT

Aaron Kernan still running the show

Aaron Kernan may be deep, very deep, into his 30s, but he is still one of the stars on show in Armagh club football right now. The Crossmaglen player continues to run games, no doubt giving that extra percent seeing that his brother Stephen is in charge this season. Many teams have went into games thinking that they have worked out ways to shut Kernan down, but he always seems to have a massive influence. He deserves huge credit for that.

NIALL MCCOY

Squeaky bum time for Tyrone TV

STREAMING services have been a God-send for club fans due to the government-imposed restrictions on the amount of supporters who are allowed into games. Tyrone TV subscribers were left frustrated over the weekend, however, as many of the streams failed to work as intended. The stream for Monday’s match between Trillick and Galbally was much better, and hopefully from here on in there’ll be no more issues as people are paying money for the service at the end of the day.

NIALL GARTLAND

If the Government has to step in, so be it

IF Twitter polls would have you believe, it seems like the majority of GAA fans out there don’t really expect the All-Ireland Championship to go ahead this year because of financial considerations. The Government (down south anyway) seems to be keen for the championships to go ahead, however, and in my opinion it wouldn’t be at all embarrassing if they intervene to help. It’d be better than no championship at all, and would ensure that county boards will have enough money in the kitty left over at the end of the season.

NIALL GARTLAND

Recreational GAA

Last week I wrote a piece with Joe Cassidy that made me rethink a suggestion I made before. Joe said that he finished his career playing Division Six football with Antrim. He said that it was one of the great memories he has had from playing. And this is a guy who has won Ulster titles at club and county level. What it suggested to me was that in the past I’ve suggested that the GAA needs to do more to support recreational GAA. I’ve now realised that the outlets are there, you just have to find them. He also pointed out that there is a recreational reserve competition in Derry. This is a fantastic development and one that can only benefit clubs and players.

RONAN SCOTT

Drawing comfort with results

The big story for Clontibret this week is that their manager John McEntee will be going up against his old mate, Inniskeen boss Oisin McConville. Look further though and it’s interesting to see that the reigning champions have drawn all three of their games to date. That would have been massive odds and given the way their games have gone, it shows the fighting spirit that McEntee has ingrained in the side. It was something that his Cross side was famed for, both in his playing and managerial days.

NIALL MCCOY