TO DENY FERMANAGH’S best hurlers the chance to represent their county on fewer occasions than those in other counties would be “a travesty”. That is according to Fermanagh GAA, who have stated their firm opposition to plans to deny inter-county hurling league games to Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan, Longford and Louth in 2025.
A meeting was held by Fermanagh GAA on Monday night to discuss the proposals from the CCCC on hurling development in weaker counties, with representatives from the county hurling team’s management and players in attendance.
“The meeting was unanimous in calling for the proposals to be rejected and urge all counties to support us in voting against this at the Ard Chomhairle meeting on 2 December,” Fermanagh GAA said in a statement this morning.”
The county board deny they were consulted appropriately on the CCCC proposal and say that the work invested in Fermanagh hurling, and progress made as a result, would be undermined by such a move.
“Fermanagh GAA wish to put on record our shock and disappointment at the proposals.
“We do not concur that we were appropriately consulted on a proposal of this magnitude to remove Fermanagh from the Allianz Hurling League prior to them being presented at the Ard Chomhairle meeting of 4 November.
“Fermanagh GAA have worked extremely hard with our small base of volunteers over the last number of years to develop sustainable hurling structures to allow the game to grow and flourish,” the statement read.
“This year along with our seven underage clubs we have three adult clubs participating in Championships. Along with our well-established hurling club of Lisbellaw St Patrick’s, we were able to recommence our Junior Hurling Championship with Erne Gaels winning over Lisnaskea Emmetts. These are small but important steps in the growth of hurling in Fermanagh, which we will continue to work hard to grow further.
“We are extremely proud of the achievements our senior county hurling team especially in recent years, winning the Allianz league Division 3B title and promotion in 2022, winning the Lory Meagher Cup on two occasions (2021 and 2015) and reaching the final on three other occasions (2020, 2014 and 2012).
“We retained our Nicky Rackard Cup status in 2022 and narrowly missed out this year by a slim margin in a number of games. We also note the outstanding performance of Luca McCusker, representing Ireland, in the recent Shinty International with Scotland.
“The success of our county hurling team has helped excite and encourage future generations of hurlers. This was clearly demonstrated on Sunday 12 February in Ederney, following our hurlers win against Mayo in the league, with scores of young fans seeking autographs and photos with their county heroes.
“To deny our hurlers the opportunity to represent their county on fewer occasions than other counties would be a travesty and detrimental to the development of hurling in Fermanagh.
“We call for a serious discussion on hurling resources within the smaller counties and again ask for a fairer distribution of funding to support hurling in Fermanagh.”
All the pressure on Offaly today and they were well deserved winners. Hopefully they will progress to senior level and they’ll compete in the All-Ireland series in 4/5 years time. Congratulations from a KK supporter
@Niall Egan: Fancied Offally to win this. Especially after the heartache of losing a minor and under 20. Some very good hurlers coming through.
@Ray Ridge: Brilliant
What a team…the most likeable team in the gaa at the moment.. thank you Leo..
There won’t be a bunker raked in esker hills tomorrow
Some group of hurlers just shows what can be done when everyone is on the same page, Workrate, teamwork, determination, skill and bottle in abundance they have it all.
Go on The Faithful county
Congrats to Offaly. They completely out hurled Tipp and could have won by much more.
Screeney is a class act and we all know that already. Dan Bourke was my man of the match. Imperious at centre forward. His goal put the game to bed just when Tipp had responded well to the first Offaly goal and looked like the game would go to the wire.
The joke among Tipp fans leaving the ground was at least the traffic won’t be bad leaving with all the Offaly fans celebrating back on the pitch.
It was the best atmosphere at a game in years thanks to the great Offaly support.
Enjoy the celebrations in Birr, Banagher, Tullamore and the rest of Offaly. Third time is a charm as someone else posted and this team are great champions.
Super atmosphere in KK,the place was mega.great game of hurling and Offaly never looked like they were going to come 2nd this evening.commiserations to a very good Tipperary team who had us on the edge of our seats at times alright but congratulations to the Faithful ! Up Offaly
Delighted for Offaly and Leo as well. Great stuff!
A Limerick man over a swashbuckling Offaly side winning an AI, Leo should get the senior job in a few years time with the majority of that side breaking through.
@colmkearney39@hotmail.com: the legend Eamon Cregan was also an adopted Limerick man and wiped the floor with his own county to bring glory to the Offaly senior team.
Better team won, no complaints, hopefully a few players from both set ups make the step up to senior level over the next few years.
What a brilliant atmosphere at the game, despite being on the losing side, just home watching the Saturday game, could have done with more coverage, interviews etc.