Former Sligo star Eamonn O'Hara is adamant that more needs to be done at underage level in order to safeguard the future of the game in the county.

Writing in his weekly column in the Sligo Champion, O'Hara blasted the decision not to enter an under-21 team in the Hastings Cup.

"Every year the U21 Hastings Cup is played in January, consists of 18 teams with Kerry being the most recent entry," writes O'Hara. "For the last two years Sligo has not entered the competition.

"Now let me cut through the crap here, who in the county board made this decision? Please raise your hand and give us the reason why? Money? Expenses?

"Well our lads deserve better. All this talk of coaching at underage, development squads, this so called work with the minors for someone to decide to stick two fingers up at our 18,19 and 20 year old lads all of whom have gone through the 'Sligo coaching system' and now not allow them competitive action.

"To give them the chance to play together to gel and bond in January against some of the best teams in Ireland but would rather them going in cold to the Connacht championship. Sligo is the only team now in this competition.

"What's even more disappointing is that the U21 management accepted this; this is one opportunity to see your players, get to know your best team and possibly identify a few that could be drafted into the senior squad. A massive opportunity lost to ignorance again."

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