League final dates extended and ‘B’ competitions scaled back

The dates for this year’s football and hurling league finals have been changed following a vote by the clubs at a meeting of the county committee on Wednesday week last. Junior ‘B’ competitions have been scaled back as the county comes to terms with a prolonged wet spell that has left pitches in a poor state.

In a move that failed to gain unanimous support, the committee listened to dissenting voices from some clubs before putting the issue to a vote. There were calls from Caulry and Garrycastle for restraint, but the vote was 22-10 in favour of extending the leagues by two weeks.

With 39 games outstanding in football and hurling due to wet weather, Westmeath GAA felt a decision was needed in order to get the league competitions completed.

It means that clubs who contest the league finals will have just one week to prepare for the first round of the championship. Junior B football and hurling will not start at the proposed date (May 18/19) and these dates will now be used to play outstanding league games, with the junior ‘B’ football and hurling competitions later in the summer, scaled back to smaller groups.

Garrycastle’s Michael Mannion, chairman of the football committee, felt all players in 47 clubs should have been fully consulted in relation to the implications. Some players are now likely to be faced with the prospect of missing league finals.

“It could affect players if they are away on holidays and their team reaches the league final. It’s important to consider players,” he remarked.

Clubs were also given the option of playing a number of back matches midweek, a move that would have stretched dual players and impacted on those who are in third level education.

It was also felt that Westmeath could consider holding off on a decision regarding the league until the status of the county senior footballers is determined.

Some clubs felt it would be worth changing the planned schedule for the championships, but Westmeath’s Head of Operations Patrick Doherty cautioned against the move. He explained the county committee had already approved the regulations for this year’s championship and only the Competitions Control Committee (CCC) could change this.

Damien Keogh, Turin, called for either option one or option two to be “nailed down” as players would then know where they stand and whether they can book holidays for various dates.

“Players are amateur. They are entitled to holidays and weekends away,” he said.

Castledaly’s Enda Kelly also felt option two should be invoked.

However, Mr Doherty explained a decision was already taken that option one is in place for the championship year, which covers Westmeath reaching the Tailteann Cup final. It has already been decided what will happen in the event of the county not reaching the Tailteann Cup final, he explained.

“All the CCC are asking this evening is that league finals be changed by two weeks. The county committee can’t put the onus on the CCC; they cannot change the championship regulations now. The CCC have ultimate responsibility for it and if the calendar is changing, the CCC need input,” he said.

Jim Rock of Coralstown/Kinnegad was against any change and felt the lost ground could be recovered in the time available if clubs play their back matches. He suggested the CCC was panicking.

However, Frank Mescall explained that the number of dual players with back games is significant and it was also pointed out that some clubs may have teams in more than one division with outstanding matches.

Caulry’s Ger O’Kelly-Lynch felt since dates have already been given to club players regarding the league finals, it would be unfair to renege on that.

He felt since the top divisions in football are up to date, there is no need to extend the time-frame on the finals, but Mr Mescall said a unified approach is needed.

The change also means a shorter format for the ‘B’ championships in hurling and football, something that concerned Martin Williams of Lough Lene Gaels, but Ronan Farrell (Tang) said playing a number of back matches midweek will cause a different issue for players in third level education.

Michael Kelly (Delvin) and Gerry Farrelly (Ballycomoyle) were both against changing the plan as the ‘B’ competitions would be impacted. Michael Kelly said any impact on the junior hurling is unfair, while Gerry Farrelly stressed that the junior ‘B’ football is viewed as important in their club.

Mr Mescall denied the lower grade junior competitions are being disrespected, but admitted there would be less games with groups having to be reduced.

Jim Whelan (Rosemount) questioned how many teams have more than one back match and Mr Mescall advised “a good number of teams have two games” and the number of dual players impacted is a concern for the CCC.

All league divisions are close and all games are meaningful he explained.

Decotek Park

The Lough Lene Gaels hurling club has secured naming rights for its GAA grounds in Collinstown and it is now to be called Decotek Park.

Permission was sought by delegate Martin Williams at last week’s county committee meeting.

It was approved on the proposition of Paddy Wallace, seconded by Michael Kelly.

Change for players who play abroad

Club players who go abroad and play football or hurling will now have to wait 60 days to play on their return as opposed to 30 days in former years.

Westmeath’s Central Council Delegate Tom Hunt explained the decision and advised all clubs to be aware ahead of the summer months.