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Heslin and Westmeath could be out of the championship on Sautrday. James Crombie/INPHO

'We trained all year to play three Championship games - which is ridiculous'

GAA Central Council meets on Saturday to discuss the Football Review Committee’s recommendations.

LAST SUMMER HE played three Championship games; this year John Heslin may well only play two.

“What’s the point?” he asks.

Last weekend Fermanagh’s 2014 season ended, a day before Kerry had even kicked a ball.

On Saturday Westmeath face Cavan in their own do-or-die first round qualifier. If they can’t muster a win, Heslin’s inter-county season will be over before the start of July.

“There has to be a change,” explains the 22-year-old. “I was talking to one of the Westmeath selectors about it and he laughed and said ‘maybe you’ll be a lad to change that in the next couple of years’.

But I hope something happens before the next couple of years because who knows where I’ll be in the next couple of years? Who knows where anyone will be in the next couple of years?

The GAA’s Central Council will meet this weekend to consider the recommendations from Part Two of the Football Review Committee’s report which deals with the fixture calendar and competition structures.

Among the FRC proposals is a restructuring of the Championship so that each province will begin with eight teams. Based on their league position, teams would play off in a preliminary round with the losers shifting to other provinces to even out the numbers.

It’s one possible solution to frustration at a fixture list which Heslin feels is not only leading to player burnout, but sees footballers’ year-long efforts wasted after less than a handful of games.


eamondon / SoundCloud

During my study week in college I couldn’t help but think about how the GAA could improve their whole championship base. Last year we trained all year to play three championship games – which is ridiculous in my opinion.

John Heslin goes off injured Heslin goes off injured during the league. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

A former Irish youth international soccer player, AFL rookie, Westmeath hurler and, since the age of 18, a senior footballer for his county, Heslin has a new championship template in mind.

“I’d like to see can they pull it all back and make it a whole league base thing where you play every weekend or every second weekend between March and June or July. You could have three divisions of 10 or 11 teams and play it off, and there you have your defined season, your inter county season.”

John Heslin Playing for Leinster earlier this year. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

“You can throw in a cup competition, like the FA Cup in soccer, you can look at a number of sports. The AFL have their top 8 teams go into a grand final and it brings the interest levels up.

“But through all that you also have the Sigerson Cup fixed at the early part of the college year which would be October or November, and the off-season for the inter county lads. Then your club is thrown in there as well, but that’s for the hierarchy to look at.”

Heslin heads the below documentary; ‘The adverse effect of the GAA fixture schedule’ (Produced by @TomasORuanaidh and @DonoghueEamon). 

Along with Cavan’s Killian Clarke, Ballymun Kickhams’ selector Ken Robinson, and Connacht rugby players Shane Leyden and Danny Qualter – Heslin discusses “the professional demands of our amateur association.”


TacklerGAA / SoundCloud

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18 Comments
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    Mute Michael
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:12 PM

    As an Arsenal supporter Liverpool are the only top English team I wouldn’t begrudge a good run in Europe..that been said I’l b watching the showcase game

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    Mute Griff
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:17 PM

    @Michael: Will you be watching the Arsenal v nobody cares or the soaps tomorrow?

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    Mute Gareth Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:18 PM

    @Griff: osterunds good side griff

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    Mute Michael
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:27 PM

    @Griff: Well that was hilarious…….and yes as an arsenal supporter I will be watching…salty much?

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 14th 2018, 6:51 PM

    If it’s half a exciting as the Spurs/Juve match last night it’ll be brilliant

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 14th 2018, 6:55 PM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: watch the other game that’s on tonight, that’ll be more entertaining I’d imagine.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:03 PM

    To clarify, I’m not saying this’ll be dull, I’m just saying the other game is Real Madrid vs PSG

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    Mute Jamie Smith
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:06 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: what are you trying to say Davo?

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    Mute Michael
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:17 PM

    @Jamie Smith: he was pretty clear

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    Mute Brian
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:19 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: I can’t believe you’ve implied so very clearly that the Liverpool game will be really dull

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:25 PM

    @Michael: just wait Micheal his next question will be “ I wonder who you support ? “

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:28 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Ah you’re right Dave but being a Liverpool follower ill have to watch this one. I’ll catch the highlights afterwards.

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    Mute FPL Thommo
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:35 PM

    @The Family Guy: gobdaw

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:56 PM

    @Mel Fitzpatrick: hope you had fun. Definitely worth a watch for a Liverpool fan. A very good win

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    Mute Gareth Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:22 PM

    Just thrilled Robertson is playing if moreno was back in I think I’d have a meltdown, decent side porto but hopefully over the 2 legs we should get through.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:24 PM

    @Gareth Fitzpatrick: only time Moreno should be on the pitch from now on is collecting the water bottles.

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    Mute Gareth Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:10 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: agree 100% shaun he’s awful, or as we used to say years ago gank.

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    Mute 2nd account
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:26 PM

    Think Liverpool can get manage a win here but theyll have to work very hard. Away goal will be important.

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    Mute Jamie Smith
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:39 PM

    @2nd account: are 5 enough?

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    Mute Kian
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:41 PM

    @Jamie Smith: might do

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    Mute GeorgeMallory
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:14 PM

    Get In. Good man Bobby.

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    Mute England's Envy
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:58 PM

    Whack of another Istanbul is tangible. #6 very possible. Imagine the haters !

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    Mute John Connolly
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:02 PM

    @England’s Envy: I doubt it very much

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    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:00 PM

    Anyone noticed how crap the commentary is on RTÉ?

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    Mute 2nd account
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    Feb 14th 2018, 7:59 PM

    That Liverpool midfield is shocking so far

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    Mute Carl O Neill
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:17 PM

    @2nd account: what score is it mate ?

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    Mute 2nd account
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:22 PM

    @Carl O Neill: 2-0 thankfully wouldn’t like to see my team lose

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    Mute john cronin
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:16 PM

    The commentary is absolutely crap on Rte.

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:18 PM

    @john cronin: Agree Houghton is brutal, Up the Reds though!!! Never forget Sevilla ha

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    Mute Thomas McGilly
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:34 PM

    Jaysis lads. The commentary on RTE is absolutely crap isn’t it?

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    Mute seancreaven13
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:44 PM

    The commentary on here is pretty crap too.

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    Mute John Cronin
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:22 PM

    The commentary on Rte is absolutely crap

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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:53 PM

    @John Cronin: no it’s not it’s top class so it is

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    Mute john cronin
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:14 PM

    The commentary on Rte is absolutely crap

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    Mute Baz
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    Feb 14th 2018, 9:19 PM

    @john cronin: 4 nil at this stage and RTE will probably still show the second leg, terrible how c rap that station has become

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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:17 PM

    The commentary is absolutely crap on Rte

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    Mute james lee
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    Feb 14th 2018, 8:29 PM

    @the druid: what do you think of the commentary on rte?

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