Tipp CCC Secretary concerned over youth player burn-out

By Shane Brophy

A leading Tipperary GAA official has warned that some younger players are being exposed to too many games and run the risk of burnout.

Tom Maher, secretary of the County Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) made his comments in his annual report to Tipperary GAA Convention earlier this month in which we worries for the players, particularly in grades from under 17, 19 & 21 who also play at adult and inter-county level, as well as schools and colleges.

“I am worried about the number of games we are putting forward for the younger player,” he began.

“With the split season, all of these have been pushed into the second half of the year, with an amount of time also requiring much the same players for adult championships as well. We seem to forget what our second level schools are putting into this age grade of people.

“I feel we just cannot sustain this level of games programme and we need to put our own parochial wishes aside and look at the bigger picture. If we don’t, we will burn out this age level of people.”

Contrary to public opinion where it is argued these age groups don’t play enough games, Maher feels it is fewer they need.

“The CCC often gets hit with ‘player welfare’ when they schedule games. Player welfare is the responsibility of the people that seek more games for the players and set the structures for competitions, and not the committees that had to play the games that they are handed out.”

He added: “We need to remember that these young players have a life outside of Gaelic games, and we should respect that.”

SECOND SPLIT SEASON

2023 saw over 40 weeks of club action from the start of the leagues in March to under 21 hurling finals to be completed on Saturday week.

The County CCC scheduled 490 games in what was the second iteration of the split season, which Maher said most people are “contented with” and urged that current structures be left in place.

However, he does raise concerns over what will happen in the years Tipperary reach an All-Ireland Final and the weeks in July which were used to play divisional championship games are then not available.

“We will have to move on without divisional championships concluding as time will not be there unless divisional championships are played midweek with the county at the weekend, not workable I would think, you could just imagine the dual clubs,” he warned.

The Moyne-Templetuohy clubman does welcome the revamp of the club football championship structures which will see the senior and intermediate grades reduced from sixteen to twelve teams each at the end of the year with a new eight-team premier junior championship in place also.

“I am aware some people do not like change but as we saw in the hurling championship, we get to like the new look and I think the same will happen in football.

“Teams will be playing in a championship in which they have a realistic chance of doing well in, and like the hurling, you will find it hard to pick a winner before the year starts,” he said.

The poor weather in the second half of the year made playing fixtures difficult, particularly in the under 21 hurling and football championships and the CCC secretary pointed to the access to the only 4g pitch in the county in Fethard Town Park for getting club and schools games played on schedule, and said it is a matter of urgency that more 4g pitches are developed in the county to sustain a prolonged fixture programme.

In thanking the referees for their services over the past year and reiterating greater respect for officials, Tom Maher revealed that Tipperary CCC have come down hard on those reported for abuse of referees and reported: “I am very pleased to see that abuse of referees in Tipperary seems to have reduced quite a bit during the past year.

“This is a very welcome change and thanks must go out to club personnel for this. Saying that, we must not take our eyes off the ball, and heavy penalties for the offenders and fines on the clubs must continue where abuse does take place.”

Age Grades

In November, Tipperary clubs voted to retain un-even age grades but with neighbouring counties such as Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, and Offaly voting to return to even ages, Maher isn’t happy that Croke Park hasn’t made a uniform decision.

“Why Congress do not set the criteria for the country is beyond me.

“This is weak leadership from the top and the counties deserve better. Make a decision that will comprise of all units of the association and let it rest there,” he said.