Mayo GAA seek consultation for changes to competition structures

The Mayo GAA Executive will welcome suggestions from clubs in the county for potential structural changes to club competitions.

The request for input was presented by vice-chairperson Michael Diskin at the April meeting of the Executive and club delegates in MacHale Park.

The callout comes on the back of a multitude of postponements of games in divisional competitions, as well as the deferral of knockout games in the adult club championships due to a storm.

"We feel that maybe at this time we should do a sharp, sharp focus and maybe ask ourselves some questions in relation to the adequacy of our current competitions," he stated.

"Maybe from a club perspective, they're totally adequate, but we should still review them."

Diskin also asked clubs to convene all stakeholders, including managers and players, to identify two strengths and weaknesses in the current structure of all adult competitions, as well as to suggest two improvements for future seasons.

A deadline for suggestions of Saturday, May 2, was set.

One suggestion which was floated at a recent meeting of club managers, according to Mayo GAA Secretary Ronan Kirrane, was that semi-finalists in the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Club Championships forego involvement in the Under-21 Club Championships.

"We continue to discuss the Under-21 Championship," the Davitts clubman stated. "A brilliant Championship, but where do you place it?"

"On one hand, you can say that suggestion would be denying some players football.

"It possibly is, but it also means that your Under-21 Football Championship could start in mid-September, could be over by November 1, rather than playing in the muck and the slog of mid-to-late November and into December, which nobody wants."

The welcoming of opinions from the clubs received positive backing from club delegates in attendance.

"I think it's something that needs to be done, I think it's at the right time," said Garrymore delegate, John Farragher.

"To the Chairman (Seamus Tuohy), I just want to compliment you as well, because this is giving clubs their say."

"I do often be critical, but I think this is a good move."

Tuohy responded by stressing the imperative nature of active club participation to ensure the success of this initiative.