GAA insist weekday matches not a runner

GAA: THE GAA insist any moves towards so-called weekday fixtures at national level would threaten their amateur ethos – even on a once-off basis.

It follows criticism of their decision not to approve Dublin’s request to stage their Allianz Football League fixture with Mayo at Croke Park on Friday week, but rather it take place on the Sunday as originally scheduled.

Both the Dublin and Mayo County Boards came to agreement on the Friday night fixture, partly on the basis it would draw a higher attendance than the Sunday.

A Saturday night game was ruled out because of an overlap with the Ireland-England Six Nations rugby match, and the Friday night also seemed a better fit given it falls the day after St Patrick’s Day, and therefore part of a holiday weekend.

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) added to the criticism yesterday by declaring it was “an opportunity lost”, although they respected the GAA’s limitations on the matter: “We were asked to contact Mayo and it wasn’t an issue with them, in terms of player welfare, or whatever,” said GPA spokesperson Seán Potts. “So we’d be disappointed this fixture didn’t go ahead on the Friday, on a once-off basis.

“It was certainly a very good promotional opportunity lost, a unique fixture. We didn’t see this as some sort of dangerous precedent, that players would be railroaded into playing every Friday night. Obviously, that would result in players having to take time off work or study.

“But we do respect that fixing weekday matches on a regular basis isn’t feasible. We understand that, respect the GAA on that, regardless of the financial opportunities lost here. That I suppose is the wider issue here.

“But nobody was putting forward that proposal here. Saturday is actually the perfect night for fixtures, but because of these particular circumstances, the Friday night was perfect.”

Mayo football manager James Horan also stated yesterday he had no problem with his team travelling to Dublin for a Friday night game. There may have been a potential clash with a Mayo under-21 game on the Saturday, should they beat Roscommon this Saturday, although it was provisionally agreed that fixture would be put back.

“We didn’t have a problem with playing on the Friday, no,” said Horan. “Provided there wasn’t any conflict with the under-21 game. But I do think weekday matches should be looked at. It might also ease the pressure on various club fixtures. But I didn’t really get involved, and just left it to the powers that be.”

Yet, on the matter of player welfare, and the implication that players would need to take time off work to satisfy a midweek game at national level, Horan agreed the GAA were under certain limitations: “I suppose if you look at the logistics of it, say to get a Mayo team in Dublin for the evening game, then players would have to consider taking time off work, and the GAA would have to consider that.”

As far as the GAA are concerned, there won’t be any engagement of weekday matches at national level as long as they remain an amateur association.

GAA operations manager Fergal McGill reiterated their stance yesterday, insisting that once the GAA agree to weekday matches at national level they are opening themselves to claims for loss of wages.

“What you have on the GAA landscape at the moment in terms of weekday matches are college matches, provincial under-21, or the pre-season competitions such as the Dr Kenna Cup. They’re internal provincial games, so by definition the travel there is small.

“So time off work doesn’t become an issue. Something like Mayo versus Dublin is completely different. Any Mayo player looking to get to Dublin on time would need to leave at one o’clock, and even that’s pushing it, to properly prepare. The issue goes for stewards and referees as well.

“We remain a voluntary association, and that’s the bottom line. Under the GAA’s amateur status, we cannot compensate GAA players for loss of wages. Therefore, if we play a game midweek, any loss has to be carried by the players, not the GAA centrally, or by their counties. That underlines the challenge that we face as an amateur association.”

McGill agreed that the Dublin-Mayo game on a Friday night had its attractions, but that was only one aspect of the argument: “If the broader GAA community turns around and says we want Friday night matches then that’s one thing. But I would be 99 per cent certain it’s not a road our membership wants to go down.

“And that’s talking to people on a daily basis. Quite clearly, that would be an element of pay for play. And it opens up so many potential avenues for claims, at club level too.

“We’re not saying our world would collapse if we had a game during the week. We’re just saying that the cumulative effect and the discomfort it creates right now is why we don’t go there. If we could do something like the Champions League, have a major championship match every Wednesday, right through the summer, think of what that might do.

“And it would open so many more dates for club fixtures. Sure it would solve all our problems. We’re also accused of having the four or five games on the one Sunday, or qualifiers for the Saturday.

“It would be great if we could schedule some of those games midweek. But we just can’t do it, because of the nature of our association. We have to accept that, live with it.”

Friday Night Lights: The View

“We didn’t have a problem with playing on the Friday, no. Provided there wasn’t any conflict with the under-21 game. But I do think weekday matches should be looked at. It might also ease the pressure on various club fixtures.”

– Mayo manager James Horan

“It is disappointing as we firmly believe we would have got a bigger crowd on the Friday night. This particular Friday is not like the other 51 in the year. Many people will be taking a holiday to facilitate the long weekend, as St Patrick’s Day falls on Thursday.”

– Dublin chairman Andy Kettle

“If it’s a missed opportunity, it’s only because we’re an amateur organisation. But if we want to stay a voluntary organisation and respectful of our amateur ethos we can’t go down that road. And there are immeasurable benefits to our voluntary association.”

– GAA operations manager Fergal McGill

“We didn’t see this as some sort of dangerous precedent, that players would be railroaded into playing every Friday night. Obviously, that would result in players having to take time off work or study. But this was a once-off, a unique fixture.”

– GPA press spokesperson Seán Potts