Next weekend An Dun ( combined schools ) team play Ballycastle in the Magaeen Cup ( Ulster SHC ) final but if An Dun win - they can't compete in the All-Ireland series...... as combined teams cannot participate anymore since Waterford schools were sucessful 2 yrs ago,- the Cork/Kilkenny big 2 objected and the eligility was changed to exclude combined teams......
Now every now and again a well known gaa personality will comment on the impt of a combined Ulster team but it was his county who were against it...

Wouldn't a combined and successful Kerry. Derry, Westmeath or Down schools team be more benefical to to the game, than another Croke Cup for a strong nursey down by the Lee or Nore....

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1671 - 19/10/2014 19:41:28    1665244

I agree with your sentiments. It's a bit like the rule where amalgamated clubs who win their county championship can't go forward to the provincial championship. GAA politics at work?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 20/10/2014 13:16:00    1665449

i loved the idea of the combined schools team, as it gave my son a chance to play. even next year when he will no longer be at school i would be in support of it. i think it makes sense, especially in derry for schools other than st pats, to get an oppurtunity to play hurling at a good level.

pig.ignorant (Derry) - Posts: 655 - 20/10/2014 16:29:52    1665563

If Cusack came out and said he was agsinst amalgamations then maybe Cork Co. Board would back them. A lot of calls for amalgamated schools to be put together in Cork city, nothside region and southside region. An lot of folk down there would be for it.

an_carraig (UK) - Posts: 55 - 20/10/2014 17:43:07    1665584

Next weekend An Dun ( combined schools ) team play Ballycastle in the Magaeen Cup ( Ulster SHC ) final but if An Dun win - they can't compete in the All-Ireland series...... as combined teams cannot participate anymore since Waterford schools were sucessful 2 yrs ago,- the Cork/Kilkenny big 2 objected and the eligility was changed to exclude combined teams......
Now every now and again a well known gaa personality will comment on the impt of a combined Ulster team but it was his county who were against it...

Wouldn't a combined and successful Kerry. Derry, Westmeath or Down schools team be more benefical to to the game, than another Croke Cup for a strong nursey down by the Lee or Nore....

I'm pretty sure it was a long planned GAA strategy to combine the colleges and vocational school competitions into the one, and not anything to do with either Cork or Kilkenny.

Besides, the current structure didn't seem to be harming Kilkenny anyway so I don't see why they'd be complaining, they've had a side in the final for the last 5 years, winning 3.

dblackandamber (Kilkenny) - Posts: 92 - 20/10/2014 17:48:30    1665588