Age grade issue rumbles on
Clubs in Westmeath are on a collision course with the new county committee in relation to the age limit at which players can play adult football.
Westmeath GAA has voted to prevent U18 players playing adult games (referred to as decoupling), which officials say gives fixture makers the freedom needed to run minor and adult competitions whilst also protecting young players.
Three clubs - Tyrrellspass, Shandonagh and Ballynacargy - called for change at county convention and each tabled a motion on the issue. Ballynacargy had a detailed motion on the clár and delegate Brian Sheridan said that only three counties are now “stopping” minor players (in their final year) playing adult games: Offaly, Wexford and Westmeath.
Outgoing chairman Frank Mescall couldn’t confirm, but Tom Hunt (Mullingar Shamrocks) felt Cork have a similar decoupling rule. However, Mr Sheridan said Cork have given junior clubs a reprieve on the rule and allow minors play that grade, which benefits weaker teams.
“This will help out junior clubs,” he argued, calling for a vote on the issue. “We are a democratic organisation,” he added.
Mr Mescall said it is a matter for planning and reminded clubs that there has been a vote on this issue for the past six years. “We are democratic and it will be democratically decided.”
Mr Mescall asked all clubs to read a report on the injury issues faced by young players in the past who were playing at both underage and adult level, pointing out that medical people identified serious long-term injuries.
Meanwhile, new Westmeath GAA chairman Paddy Wallace revealed that last year, dual minor players had to play hurling and football for the county in the space of three days and were also expected to play for their clubs in the same week. “We had asked clubs not to allow this, but it happened,” he said.
Elsewhere, Milltownpass called for a return to U11, U13, U15 and U17, which aligns with inter county competitions and decoupling would not be an issue. “This is going on for six years and there has be no progress,” said delegate Maurice Duncan. A vote on the issue is likely at the January county committee meeting.