Longford GAA reviewing the crowded competitions situation

In his report to the recent Convention, Longford GAA Secretary Peter O’Reilly stated that the number of games at underage level has become an issue and he does not believe that increasing the number of finals (Cup, Shield, Plate and even Bowl) in any age grade is the right way to go and a review of the competitions is currently in progress.   

“As the curtain comes down on 2023, planning for next year has commenced with the appointment of the CCCC to review competitions at both adult and underage level. This is the right time to carry out same, given that views are still fresh in people’s minds.

 “In the past, reviews were carried out in the following year and engagement with the process tended to be less and thus information was lost and with Club AGM’s having been held, it was found that some of the people with knowledge had moved on.

“CCCC have held a number of review meetings and hopefully will be nearing a position to circulate draft proposals. I heartily thank the 12 clubs who have fed into the adult review. However, the same cannot be said of the underage clubs with only 5 responses.

“At adult level the upshot of this review has to be to have better quality competitions at all grades with fewer walkovers.

“We can benchmark quality against our progression or otherwise in Leinster Club competitions and our County teams impact at Provincial and National level. Over the past few years it would suggest that we have a problem.

 “If Longford is to make any inroads at Provincial or National level, decisions arising from this review need to be followed through and not reversed at a later point as has happened in the past because “it doesn’t suit our situation.” 

“An analysis of games shows that the number of walkovers in 2023 is significant. This is also borne out by the substantial increase in fines this past year, the majority of which are for walkovers. 

“Decreasing the level of fines is in the hands of each and every Club, who each will have to review their entry into the various competitions.“At underage level the numbers game has become an issue. This hinders Longford GAA’s ability to give meaningful competition to all and has resulted in high numbers of walkovers in some competitions.

“I don’t believe that increasing the number of finals (Cup, Shield, Plate and even Bowl) in any age grade is the right way to go – is it leading to managers not playing to their strengths and teams not challenging themselves in order to get into a final they can win?

“Another factor which is leading to a lack of numbers is walkaways caused by either the lack of game time we give those children of a perceived lesser standard and/or the behaviour of some adults at games. This is not alone a Longford issue but a National one.”