National Forum

Why Do The GAA Discriminate Against U20 Footballers

(Oldest Posts First)

I see that a number of senior panelists with Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny and Tipp are playing in the u 20 hurling semi finals this weekend . If you declare for an u 20 inter county football panel you cannot be part of your senior county panel for the championship that year and vice versa . David Clifford and Sean O Shea because they declared for the Kerry senior panel last year were prevented from playing with u 20s and consequently deprived of the opportunity of winning an All Ireland medal . The same applies to David Clifford this year . Can anyone explain the reason for the disparity of treatment between the hurlers and footballers . I'm not having a go at the hurlers by the way . I just feel the footballers are being hard done by . Burnout doesn't really hold up because any of those u 20 hurlers will also be involved in Fitzgibbon.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 29/07/2019 11:32:58    2218071

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Just another example of ridiculous rules. The rulebook is full of them. Making and amending rules in an ad hoc fashion at an annual Congress may be "democratic" but it isn't effective.

Onfor15 (Wexford) - Posts: 524 - 29/07/2019 13:25:20    2218167

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I am beating this drum a longtime probably a broken record at this stage for some on here. Makes no sense at all. You can add Oisin Gallen to that list who is underage again next year. The rule has basically denied Kerry at least one All Ireland last year whatever about this year.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2779 - 29/07/2019 14:44:14    2218236

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Maybe the question should be 'Why Do The GAA Discriminate Against U20 Hurlers?' by obliging them to play for both senior and U20 teams.

The origin of the rule - to minimise burnout in players of this age - was surely a good idea.

The Task Force on Player Burnout which reported in 2007 defined 'player burnout' as
reduced or total withdrawal from participation in Gaelic games as a result of the psychological, physiological and physical demands associated with excessive training and/or number of games. There is accumulating anecdotal and empirical evidence to suggest that 'burnout' in talented young GAA players is a serious issue that needs to be urgently addressed by the Association.

The Task Force was made up of eminently qualified people across the GAA board who knew what they were talking about.

The object of the rule is obviously to protect players - not a bad thing surely?

I agree that the anomaly between football and hurling makes no sense but the solution - in the interest of player welfare - is to extend the rule to hurling not delete it from football.

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 263 - 31/07/2019 22:56:15    2219281

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Replying To Aibrean:  "Maybe the question should be 'Why Do The GAA Discriminate Against U20 Hurlers?' by obliging them to play for both senior and U20 teams.

The origin of the rule - to minimise burnout in players of this age - was surely a good idea.

The Task Force on Player Burnout which reported in 2007 defined 'player burnout' as
reduced or total withdrawal from participation in Gaelic games as a result of the psychological, physiological and physical demands associated with excessive training and/or number of games. There is accumulating anecdotal and empirical evidence to suggest that 'burnout' in talented young GAA players is a serious issue that needs to be urgently addressed by the Association.

The Task Force was made up of eminently qualified people across the GAA board who knew what they were talking about.

The object of the rule is obviously to protect players - not a bad thing surely?

I agree that the anomaly between football and hurling makes no sense but the solution - in the interest of player welfare - is to extend the rule to hurling not delete it from football."
That's an entirely fair point . I agree with you . What is required is consistency and by extension, fairness. No one is obliging hurlers to play at both grades . That is a matter of choice for them . Footballers are prevented by rule from playing both grades . That is discriminatory . It's another example of dreadful rules formulated by the leadership of the GAA and Congress . Your proposal to end this discrimination is very fair and your point is well made .

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 01/08/2019 10:01:02    2219331

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