‘A lot of things that happen in the GAA come down to money’

The GAA in all its stubborn splendour. More than any other emotion, relief came with Maurice Deegan’s full-time whistle.

Relief that the game was finally over. Clare's bravery notwithstanding, this repeat of the early summer beating from Kerry became boringly predictable, of little benefit to victor or vanquished.

Only 29,251 walked up to Croke Park despite four counties turning out in Sunday best. Far more interesting activities were afoot along Kerry and Clare coastlines over this bank holiday weekend.

“It is what it is,” was all Éamonn Fitzmaurice felt he could say about this All-Ireland football quarter-final.

That’s all most people can say when mired in a catch-22 situation. They shrug and deal with what is happening before their eyes. Mind their own patch. That is also why much-needed change has yet to come despite those on the ground stating the obvious need for it.

Out-dated structures

A decent enough contest dissolved when Kerry cantered away following Donnchadh Walsh’s 21st minute goal. Untouchable points from Darran O’Sullivan, a healthy James O’Donoghue and Walsh meant the cavernous arena and its echoing atmosphere bordered on embarrassing for those who care about about Gaelic games, about its future wellbeing amidst these out-dated structures.

The honesty of Clare manager Colm Collins is reflected in the performances of his players all summer. It can be heard when he elaborated about how they were "on a downer" as soon as they learned their admirable endeavours to recover from the 12-point pounding at the hands of Kerry on June 12th was almost being punished by having to face the same opponents yet again.

Collins has been beating the same drum for ages: This archaic system needs changing.

“I think the provincial championships are dinosaurs that need to be abolished.

Attendances down

“There is a bigger issue here: Attendances are going down. People are not coming to matches. The product needs to be upgraded to create a bit of excitement.

“I would favour a different version of the GPA [suggestion to revamp the championship] with eight groups of four. Everybody plays three matches. Top two play for the All-Ireland, bottom two for a plate.

“The provincial councils are a very effective way of managing our money in the GAA, so that all you have to do is divide the pots between the counties and continue on,” Collins continued.

“A lot of things that happen in the GAA come down to money. It’s quite apparent that people are not going to matches and we have got to ask ourselves why. I think we have a brilliant product in both codes. We have to address this.”

The wonder is whether those who can enact change are listening.

Gaps between games

“The gaps between games are always an issue,” said Fitzmaurice. “Four weeks is a very long time. We found that last year in the lead-in to the All-Ireland. We found it in the lead-in to this game.

“I know it is an old argument but in the league when you are playing week in, week out or every second weekend there is a bit of momentum there. If there is an issue you can try to polish it up in the next game.

“At the end of a run of games you have often made a bit of progress whereas when the games come sporadically it can become more of a challenge . . . but we are where we want to be.”

Being where they want to be papers over most cracks.

But what of the lack of competitive opponents Kerry have faced since the league final loss to Dublin? “When you look at the teams Clare beat on their run and look at Tipperary beating Derry last weekend,” Fitzmaurice counters, “maybe we are a bit better than we think ourselves.”

Fitzmaurice refuses to whinge. He has cracked the code, already joined Kerry Beckenbauers by lifting Sam Maguire as both player and then manager in 2014. But will these questions need asking next year or can he see a solution? “I don’t think so. We have been having this discussion I don’t know how many years. I don’t know what to say about it. It is what it is.”