Georgio1 wrote:
That is presuming they play at the level they should be playing at ie Junior A at least. Until then they should be known as Belmont Hurlers!
I resent the implication that only those playing at Junior A or better are actual footballers! What does that make the rest of us???
Actually probably better you don't answer that ....
In fairness to the lads themselves, they are hurlers first and foremost and at Junior A, there would be an expectation to be making training, playing league matches and generally doing things that they aren't in a position to do due to their hurling commitments. David Kenny was asked to join the senior football panel and being the decent lad that he is, he agreed and if circumstances were different, he might have been called upon. Nonetheless it just worked out well that the nature of Junior C (five training sessions, ten matches - I love that stat!!
) suited perfectly with what the lads were looking for and what they were able to give. Maybe if Belmont had gone on a bit more of a run things would have worked out differently, but as it happened the C championship gathered momentum just as the lads were freed up, so it fell into place in that regard.
As for 13 a side, I definitely think that there is something to think about in that. The reasoning behind it was to guarantee that clubs would be able to field, however I don't think that this is that much of a concern for any of the clubs that were playing in it this year, at least none of the ones we met. However the unintended effect was that it created a little bit more space on the field of play which suited lads who perhaps wouldn't have the same split second reactions or the same turn of pace as intermediate or senior footballers. It gave lads a bit more time to do something with the ball, and also meant that players who took a second or two longer to get the ball under control weren't being crowded out straight away.
I'd certainly see merit in extending the plan to Junior B at least, while thinking of the overall game, it probably makes a bit of sense seeing that many clubs tend to try and create a two man full forward line anyway. It could ease a lot of the congestion we see in the midfield areas.
Kevin Egan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
