Seán Moran: There are arguments on both sides but the new GAA calendar has been fulfilling its purpose
Clare's Ian Galvin scores a goal in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Wexford at Thurles. This year was only the third time in 28 championships that both successful quarter-finalists made it all the way to the final. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/InphoFor the last few weeks, the clearest division within Gaelic games looks to be between those displeased by the loss of intercounty calendar space and those happy with the benefits accruing.
That reluctance is partly based on the inadvisability of the CCCC tying itself up, in case dual commitments beset specific counties or whatever – sound logic, but illustrating how problematic the original undertaking to the Tailteann had been. A popular reaction to the final was to lament the lack of a replay instead of extra-time – again a reflection of calendar pressures – and sympathise with players who were disabled by fatigue or injury. The counter argument is that this allowed both teams to give meaningful game time to their panels, enabling unsung players a shot at the biggest occasion of the year, a vindication of the collective nature of the game.
Those involved in more successful counties have also been able to take holiday time in late July or August without creating difficulties for county championship preparation. Of course, there has also been the flight to the US, which has removed club players, who sometimes don’t get back in time for early championship matches. But that issue has been around for a long time and didn’t need the split season to highlight its attendant complications.
Winners of the four fixtures involving the provincial champions will go straight to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, whereas the losers of those fixtures will face the other four teams in a preliminary quarter-final.
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