Focus on the games - not who’s going to broadcast them

BRENDAN BOYLAN

Donal Og Cusack is an interesting character, to put it mildly. One of the truly great hurling goalkeepers of the modern or perhaps any era. A trailblazer on and off the pitch. An inspirational figure to many in how he dealt with aspects of his personal life in a world far less understanding than is the case now. Also, however, an innovator on the pitch, to my mind being the first to explore and exploit the benefits to be garnered from short puc outs.

Now, maybe it's down to having to be of strong mind with regard to his private affairs, but, Donal is one of these people that, when he speaks, people tend to listen. After all, it's not stretching the realms of reality to opine that the Cloyne clubman was one of the chief architects of the Cork hurling strikes at the beginning of the 2000s.

Whether he's a sh*t stirrer or just a hanger-on to the bandwagon carrying someone else's work you can make up your own mind. But his passionate plea for his sport on The Sunday Game was as stirring as it was correct.

The feeling that hurling was being exhibited as a Crash Test Dummy for the GAAGO system is a difficult one to dismantle. But, as has been alluded to by many in the aftermath of the launch of the pay-per-view service, the GAA are in danger of biting the hand which has been the provider of the Association's staple diet since its inception.

However, bad and all as that is, developments elsewhere in the days which followed Cusack's contribution moved it from primetime viewing to the Plus 1 channels. Simply as those in positions of power need to concentrate a bit more on the matches themselves rather than where or if they are broadcast.

Before even mentioning the latest social media nightmare arising out of the horrific scenes which occurred at an under-14 hurling match in Cork, consider that the Meath and Mayo under-15 hurlers were unable to fulfil their Celtic Challenge fixture after no referee showed up.

Doubtless, it will be said, and with some justification, that episodes like the heinous actions of the culprits in Cork are Exhibit A of why referees are in short supply. A viewpoint very easy to understand and concur with.

When an incident sullies the entire Association as did the one in the Rebel County, wild and whirling words tend to emanate from all corners. In a case such as the pertinent one here, matters such as lifetime bans and getting Gardai involved quickly enter discourse.

No secret will be made of the fact that the latter scenario is one this corner hates seeing appearing on the horizon but if that's what it takes to stop this kind of thing then so be it.

You'd imagine that would be enough brouhaha for one week. Not a bit of it. The news which emerged in the early part of the week regarding the Kildare camogie team being withdrawn from the Intermediate Championship, seemingly without the knowledge or consent of the players also stood out like a sore thumb.

In their detailed and widely circulated statement, the Kildare Camogie players made reference to the Co Board's failure "to honour the agreed upon charter" and their "desire and willingness" to represent their county. Looking at the bigger picture, though, if nothing else, hopefully the Kildare chaos will bring the plight of lady dual players to a head.

Here in Meath it could be said things have gone from the frying pan into the fire regarding dual players. From a position where dual players such as Megan Thynne and Aoife Minogue were forced to decide which code they were going to assist on a given weekend, it has now 'improved' to playing one sport one day and the other the next.

As progress goes, that's like going from dental extraction on a kitchen chair with a pliers to being sedated with a belt of a lump hammer.

Surely sorting the issues raised herein is more important to our games than who broadcasts them.

* You can read more of Brendan's columns on his website www.boylantalkssports.com