County Convention: Split season requires sand-based pitches if it is to be successful - Joe Kennedy

The Chairman of the Tipperary County GAA Board, Joe Kennedy (Moyne Templetuohy) told delegates at the  County Convention at the Dome this afternoon that the key to the future success of the split season, between inter county and club championships, is the provision of more sand-based pitches so as to allow for better playing conditions.

In a wide ranging address which commenced with a touching tribute to Clonoulty Rossmore and Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke, the Chairman said:

“Since the conclusion of the inter-county championship, there has been a lot of debate on the merits of the split season. It is impossible to please everyone with a fixtures program and all grades and codes want their slice of the pie. There are still only 52 weeks in the year and the split season is by far the best format to attempt to give every competition its place in the calendar. This has led to a more condensed season for all competitions but, in my view, it has worked well. 

“The critics of the split season should go back a few years and examine the problems we had prior to its introduction. Inter-county players were torn between club and county games, trying to work with multiple managers and club players had to endure a stop-start club campaign. 

“The split season has brought clarity to fixtures. Club and county players know exactly when their games will be played and can plan accordingly. While both seasons may be condensed, players enjoy having games week after week rather than the unpredictable nature of the games before. When the inter-county season is over, players and spectators have total focus on the club games and this will only enhance our club games in the future,” he said.

He added that one of the concerns is that the GAA is  leaving the door open for the promotion of soccer and rugby. 

“It is 50 years since the ban was removed and surely we can have a more mature level of debate without reference to this age-old fear. Our games have survived for more than 125 years and are strong enough to stand up to the challenges ahead. The rise in attendances at our club games across the county bear testament to the attraction of our club games and our club players deserve their allotted time for all the time and effort they put into preparing for games.

“The fear that the lack of inter-county games on TV is detrimental to the promotion of our games is nonsense. The games on TV might be the spark to light the imagination in our children’s minds but it is the work done by our schools and juvenile clubs that will drive the members playing GAA in the future. 

“The thing that amuses me most is that the people who were critical of the GAA for not implementing a split season earlier are the ones who are most critical of it now.

“The key to the future of the split season is investment in more sand based and floodlit pitches. With more of our games being played in September and October the need for lights for mid week and Friday matches will increase. While every county needs a county grounds of acceptable standards for home games, I think we need to have a practical approach in the future and build or renovate grounds in a fashion that are not a drain on the association. I would urge the GAA to prioritise investment in grants for clubs and counties to provide more floodlit all weather pitches.