MICHAEL O'CONNOR,
Madam, - Recent happenings in the GAA prompts one to ask if the inter-county system has outlived its time. For about 20 years after its foundation in 1884, the club competition was the main show-piece in the association.
The inter-county system was introduced around the beginning of the 20th century, and became hugely successful. However, in recent times an elitist group known as the GPA has emerged. Its agenda appears to be to force professionalism on the association through the back door.
If the association was to go down that road it would be an utter disaster. In a comparatively short time the association which we love would be driven by jealously and greed.
It may well be that the future of the GAA will mean a return of the club championship as its premier competition. In recent decades we have seen the glamour, which clubs like Baltinglass of Wicklow, Éire Óg of Carlow, O'Donovan Rossa of Cork and Ballinderry of Derry have brought to the game. Unfortunately, under present circumstances the club championship has to be played in winter, when the weather is inclement.
However, if the club championship was played in summer and autumn as the premier competition, it would arouse enormous interest. It would also have the advantage of giving clubs from the so-called weaker counties the opportunity to shine on the national stage. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL O'CONNOR,
Kilvoultra,
Macroom,
Co Cork.