Changes to GAA calendar would cripple West Cork insists Carbery chairman

Chairman: John Corcoran.

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

A PROPOSED change to the GAA fixtures calendar, where all games would be played within the calendar year, would ‘cripple’ West Cork GAA, according to Carbery chairman John Corcoran.

This ongoing issue was discussed at the latest Carbery board meeting where Corcoran explained that ‘delegates are astounded and dismayed at what could happen.’

The proposals, which if passed would come into play in 2017, would see the All-Ireland club finals played in December, and the All-Ireland football and hurling finals brought forward a week; all moves that would condense the club playing calendar.

‘It will have huge and serious implications for junior clubs as their year could be over by the middle of June,’ Corcoran stated.

‘What it would mean in West Cork, the junior football and hurling championships would start in March or April, the U21 championships would be in on top of that, and this would cripple GAA clubs. There will be no activity in June, July and August for clubs at a time when they should be playing.

‘This would affect all rural clubs and this needs to be opposed, tooth and nail, to help protect our grassroots GAA. This is further alienation of the grassroots GAA from headquarters. Things should be left alone.

‘The Carbery Board is vehemently opposed to any change in the status quo.’