Players on the county panel will be unavailable for club leagues

GAA clubs in Westmeath were informed that players on county panels will not be available for upcoming club leagues. The matter arose at a County Committee meeting in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

Marty Dalton from Castletown Geoghegan called on the senior hurling management team to release players not making the first team back to their clubs for matches. “We are delighted to see our hurlers called up to the hurling panel - U20 and senior - but what we would like to see is our young players not getting (enough) games time - 20 minutes or less - that they be released back to the club for league fixtures," he said.

“It’s better to be playing than training. We would rather see our lads playing than leaning over a fence looking at us. That needs to be put to the management, because sometimes they hold on to these players for just training, but we need them back to fulfil our league fixtures, which is more important to our club.”

Chairman Frank Mescall explained that players named on the panel of 26 for match days are needed by the county side. Outside of that, players should be playing with their clubs.

“We have discussed that with our managers, and they're all in agreement that the players who are not on the named squad for the weekend should be playing with their clubs.

They should be released back to their clubs. Without a shadow of a doubt, they should be,” he said.

Martin Williams (Lough Lene Gaels) asked if a player is named and not playing, is there an issue with releasing him to his club?

The chairman explained that a player on the first 24 or 26 shouldn't be let back as he is needed by the county manager.

“The manager obviously wants him there; who am I to disagree with the manager? We have to be fair to the county team as well. That is the county manager’s decision; if he needs players, he needs them. It cuts both ways,” remarked the chairman.

Patrick Doherty, Head of Operations, noted that players on a county panel cannot be expected to play with their clubs on the same weekend.

“In fairness, the county managers have been approachable and we're able to talk to them,” remarked Martin Williams.

“They've been very, very good,” the chairman agreed.

Patrick Doherty explained that clubs shouldn't be under any illusions and if somebody is on the county panel of 26, he would not be playing with his club.

The chairman concurred.