A number of proposals will be presented to the GAA Central Council later today, aimed at curbing the relentless issue of player burnout and impractical fixture schedules.
Penned by GAA director-general Páraic Duffy, he intends to rigorously campaign for the implementation of these recommendations, which include, the abolition of U21 inter-county football, a new age eligibility for minor hurling and football, and the possibility of staging the All-Ireland finals on earlier dates.
In his introduction, Duffy says: "If we want to provide our club players with a fair and meaningful schedule of fixtures, we can no longer simply talk about addressing it. The time has come to take decisive action."
The DG's words seem to resonate following a recent fixture controversy in Kerry when Killarney Legion were selected to represent the county in the Munster club championship. The county final finished in a draw against South Kerry, but there was not enough time to stage a replay ahead of the provincial championships.
PICTURES: Drawn Kerry county final ends in a melee https://t.co/mqdsWN8S1V (GM) pic.twitter.com/AXOfBPTo5F
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) November 9, 2015
Duffy's suggestions will only be considered today while the proposals will also be deliberated at provincial level with a final decision due to be taken at Congress in February next year.
Minor football and hurling
Páraic Duffy proposes the introduction of a new age limit at minor level. Since its arrival in the 1920s, a minor player was considered as someone who was under the age of 18. Duffy wants this to be reduced to U17 from 2018 onwards.
U21 football
In his document, Duffy identifies the 18-21 age bracket as the one with the highest level of player fatigue due to over training. To alleviate that problem, he wants to eliminate the U21 Football competition at inter-county level. Should this measure prove to be successful, there is a possibility of an U19 competition being introduced. U21 Hurling, Duffy asserts, does not have the same player burnout problem and will therefore, remain untouched.
#Donegal U21 football team photo from 1983 #gaa #nostalgia pic.twitter.com/7wg36S3bPm
— GAA Nostalgia (@gaanostalgia) November 12, 2015
Earlier dates for All-Ireland finals
Fixture congestion at club level is a major issue, according to Duffy, and he believes that bringing the All-Ireland football and hurling finals forward by two weeks, will be an adequate solution. By rescheduling the All-Ireland finals, Duffy contests that club activity will be given greater priority and competitions will finish on time.
Extra-time for all championship games that end in a draw
In the event of a senior championship game ending in a draw, Duffy wants to see extra-time implemented rather than the game going to a replay.
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