“We need to cut the link between the divisions and the county championship"- Shane McGrath

Former All-Ireland winner Shane McGrath is calling for a more defined club championship.

With county leagues starting or already underway across the country, different teams take different approaches to preparing for the competition.

Writing in his RTE column, the former Tipperary midfielder believes that better structures for the club championship can be put in place by getting rid of the divisions in the county championship, one of them.

“We have a defined split season for the county game; I think one is needed for the club game now,” McGrath said.

“In my opinion, we need to cut the link between the divisions and the county championship, as I feel it is just asking for injuries. Players are expected to go from nothing to perhaps three competitive games in the space of just 10 days or so. Some will agree with that; some will want me dead for that statement, but that’s just my honest take on it.”

“We have a defined split season for counties; should we not have one for the clubs too? What I mean is, we are not starting our championships until late July now, but why are we starting our leagues at the same time as we did before the split season even came in?”

“Leagues should start later, maybe in May, and the domino effect of this should be that clubs would not go back until at least mid-to-late March to prepare. This would provide a more defined 'return to play' for the club player, but it would also save clubs a significant amount of money in expenses paid to strength and conditioning or hurling coaches.”

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McGrath is fully aware that it would be hard to manage if a return-to-play embargo were imposed on clubs, but is calling for ‘common sense’.

“I am not suggesting an embargo be placed on the return to play, like there is with inter-county. That can’t even be fully controlled at the county level, so you wouldn’t have a prayer of enforcing it at the club level,” McGrath said.

“I would rather say that common sense would prevail for all involved and that players and management alike at club level would see there is no point in returning so early, and if you did, then the reality of this is you are going to be burned out and sick of it all by the time the championship rolls around in July.”

“Many of you might say, "But what if we get knocked out of the club championship in September? It's an awfully long time to wait until March to get back at it." True enough. But nothing would stop a player from going to the gym, running, or playing soccer, rugby, squash, five-a-side, or padel to keep the body ticking over.”

“Then, when you do return, it will be to grass pitches, brighter evenings, and a real hunger for the road. Nothing compares to the feeling of that first midweek session in daylight; even at 42 years of age, I still look forward to it with great anticipation.”

“With the end goal being a championship in late July, May and June could still be filled with stags, weddings, or holidays, but maybe don’t head away for 10 weeks. The temptation of hurling in the sun in the USA will remain regardless, and nothing will change that for those who wish to go.”

“I also understand that the price of success is a longer year – a 'problem' I’d kill for, by the way – but even the teams reaching All-Ireland club finals are currently back training within weeks to ready themselves for the leagues. Pushing the start date back could finally offer them a well-earned break after a long run.”

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