System grossly unfair on weak, says John Meyler

Appointing retired players from successful counties to mentor teams is among the measures the GAA needs to consider for the development of hurling.

John Meyler, who has extensive inter-county management experience, having been involved with Cork and in charge of Kerry, Wexford and Carlow, says the current Leinster preliminary round-robin structure, which continues this weekend, is doing nothing for the competing counties.

He believes that hurling has to be encouraged by the establishment of a broader playing base as well as the passing on of the right attitudes.

“Current structures aren’t serving the development of hurling. There are six or seven clubs in Carlow and the same in Kerry – that’s what’s there. There’s nothing happening.

“I’d look at some of the players in Kilkenny, who aren’t part of the senior panel – maybe retired – who could come to Carlow and show the level of preparation, the level of hurling skill and the level of commitment, strength, attitude – all of that.

"Take Tommy Walsh, who was involved with the shinty internationals when I was manager. At training he was the first onto the field on the Friday afternoon for a bit of a warm-up. Who was the last out? Some fella from a weaker county with no All-Ireland medals. There's a fella with eight All-Ireland medals and he can't get enough of it. You need to show the level of commitment that's required."

Meyler led Kerry to a groundbreaking 1993 senior championship win over Waterford – the county's first against anyone since the 1920s – and then into Division One of the NHL where they defeated the All-Ireland champions Clare in their first match. More recently he's been involved in the Leinster round robin.

He strongly believes that counties like Kerry and Carlow need exposure to higher levels of hurling than they are currently getting.

“I was with Carlow for two years and my first year was when they were in One B and we were playing Limerick, Dublin, Offaly and Wexford. We got really close in those games and I was saying to Liam O’Neill (former president) who appointed me to the hurling development committee and others that you have to leave the likes of Carlow, Westmeath and Laois at that level of hurling where they get exposed to that quality.

Massive pressure

“If you don’t it’s not great preparation for the championship. The round-robin series is played off over four Sundays at this time of the year right in the middle of third-level exams as well so there’s massive pressure.

“Last year we did that in Carlow on successive weekends so you’re going to pick up injuries, and with the fellas doing exams. It’s grossly unfair on those counties I think. You’re then out of it on 1st June and no hurling until the following February so it’s off and pack your bags. There’s no thought went into it about the development of the game in that county.”

He says that he was “really annoyed with Croke Park” for not giving more consideration to the model of two seven-team divisions at the top of the league and allow counties who can compete but not avoid relegation extra time at the top.

“Ourselves and Westmeath made the point about (Croke Park) opting for two sixes instead of two sevens which would have given the counties another year at that level. Westmeath under Brian Hanley were competing at that level, particularly against Galway. They weren’t winning but to lose by eight or 10 points against top teams is a sign of progress.

“Carlow went down to Wexford Park and were beaten by two points – David Redmond got a goal in the last few minutes. Croke Park should be going to counties like that and asking ’what can we do for you’?”