Panel is most important

THIS week we published an interview with Tyrone’s Chris Lawn. Chris said that his gears are ground when a player says they didn’t really win a medal if they didn’t actually play in the match. In my brief underage playing career, I did not have the good fortune to be part of a large panel. I was forced to play most games. The only opportunity I got to warm the bench was when one of the u-10s was free to play for our u-12s. I understood that for a team to be successful, it actually needs a large squad so that they can have competition for places. But as Lawn explained, a lot of times players don’t realise that the guys pushing for places are just as important as the men on the field.

RONAN SCOTT

And we’re back!

Last Friday night I did umpire in Dromintee’s league opener away to back-to-back Armagh finalists Ballymacnab. For nearly three hours, and with no changing room to take cover in, the heavens opened and I got absolutely drenched. Would I have rather have been anywhere else? No chance. It was a credit to both teams to play in such conditions but more importantly it was just great to see competitive football back once again. Nothing is going to be the same for a while, but once the ball was thrown it felt pretty normal. Oh, and Dromintee winning helped the long drive home in soggy clothes.

NIALL MCCOY

Living next to the pitch is crucial

I HAVE a theory as to why some teams are better than the others. It is simply this – access to the pitches. If a club has a lot of players living near the pitch, they can get lots of access and exposure to playing the game. Brian McFall was a super hurler for Antrim. He lived directly across from Casement Park. Sean Johnston was one of Cavan’s best forwards in years, he lived next door to a football pitch. And this week, Chris Lawn said he and his brother Stephen grew up next to a school pitch. Access to pitches is crucial. So, if this chimes with you, then you might agree that your club should buy every house around the pitch, and let them out to families with lots of young boys and girls. Then watch he championships roll in ten years later.

RONAN SCOTT

Crowd control not going down well

There is a growing anger about the banning of supporters at GAA games in the north. I have sympathy for Ulster GAA, they are trying to keep within the regulations but it’s another example of a lack of alignment between north and south. Watching Maghery v Cross on Armagh TV, it demonstrated a different problem. Clumps of fans were converging outside the ground in tight spaces – in Maghery’s case on the bridge just before the pitch. If that crowd had been allowed into the ground then they would have been spread out in a safer manner. It’s tough to get around but the frustration is understandable.

NIALL MCCOY