Quote from: thewobbler on November 08, 2022, 12:38:17 PM
Okay, let's say that the ability for some GAA clubs to field, and to therefore stay in business, is pretty much dependent on playing 16 and 17 year olds i.e. bringing in lads to fill in the last few spots for a year or two, before they bugger off to university or realise that playing sport as an adult isn't actually fun for lots of people. This would seem to be the thoughts from others above.
I'm actually getting this the more I think about. Thanks all.
What about this as a halfway house then?
If a player is registered with the GAA as both a hurler and a footballer, then he cannot play adult (senior or reserve) grade in either code, until he is an under-19.
This would largely solve Errigal Ciaran's "single issue" in one blow. But it would also limit the chance of burnout and injury during the club championship window.
I actually laugh when people use burnout as the reason for not letting young players play adult football. Firstly, i fully agree with u17s not being allowed to play adult football, but for anyone to say that the reason for the change originally wasn't to help with the fixtures is kidding themselves.
What do people think these boys and girls be doing when their GAA season ends. I know in Tyrone, minor football ended for a lot of teams in mid June. Do people actually think that these children just rested then and did nothing until the club minors starts the next year? Most trained flat out with their club seniors anyway even though they couldnt play any games, but there are now more young GAA players playing soccer and rugby (at adult level i might add) than probably ever before.
I believe that both club and county should return to U18. Counties get the u18 grades out of the way and after minor competitons are finished, then allow them to play adult football when that is complete. And in the same way as happens now, if a club plays an 'ineligible' player, the opposing team can complain and get awarded points or the championship win.
Decoupling u18s would be an even worse decision than changing it to u17s in the first place and again the only reason they want to do this is for fixtures. To use burnout or player welfare at underage level is just ridiculous.
