BOYLAN TALKS SPORT

I just about remember the furore at the time rogue trader Nick Leeson brought down Barings Bank, although I was completely oblivious to the seismic ramifications of such an occurrence.

In contrast, by the time of the financial crash of 2008, I wasn't only fully tuned into the goings on, like most, there were effects of the fallout here too.

However, the one thing which really sticks out in the mind from that was, essentially what caused the entire global financial crash - the collapse of both Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs.

You're probably wondering how all the above made it into a sports column, well, ponder no more. Reason being that it was at that time the phrase "too big to fail" crossed these eardrums.

In a sporting context, the best example one can think of by way of fitting the above label was the relegation of Manchester City from the Premier League. And this was even before they became the all consuming behemoths they currently are.

Yes, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa also made the drop but the inference would be that one of the Manchester clubs going down would be akin to one of the bigger London clubs doing likewise.

You suspect similar thoughts are now ruminating in certain parts of Kerry. For it truly is staggering to think that, in consecutive seasons, Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahilly's were relegated to intermediate.

Yes, the same Kerins side that gave Kilmacud Crokes their belly full of it in an All Ireland Club SFC semi final last January. At this point, it must be admitted that, until very recently, the intricacies of competition structure in Kerry were a confusing muddle to me.

What was most striking once they were properly deciphered was the fact that there were only eight 'proper' senior football club teams where the pale moon was rising.

Meaning that, a further octuplet of Divisional teams - akin to those currently partaking in the Regional Championship, made up of players from Junior and Intermediate clubs - are needed to construct what's known as the County Championship.

Then, completely separate from same is what's referred to as the Club Championship, with only the eight 'actual' senior teams competing there. Now, if one of the club teams wins the County Championship, naturally, they will represent Kerry at provincial level. But if one of the Divisional teams wins the above, whomever wins the club alternative will take up the odyssey.

All fair enough, you'd think, but there are always hidden ingredients in any dish. Sports administration and/or competition structure is like carvery in a pub - you pick and choose what you prefer yourself.

Noticeably, more and more counties are moving away from having a straight knockout club championship. But how you calibrate the alternative is equally or more important.

In many ways, the Kerry championships are highly vaunted, and rightly so. To my mind, the addition of Divisional teams would increase the competitiveness and quality of the Meath championships greatly. However, where the Kerry system falls down - as was glaringly exposed last week - is that, for some bizarre reason, the Divisional amalgamations are exempt from relegation at the end of the season which is both curious and decidedly unfair.

There has to be two sides to every story. By all means, if they can hold their own or indeed do more, they are of course justified in being there. Conversely, though, if they're out of their depth, why shouldn't they be subject to the same parameters as the other teams therein.

If, per se, the Regional teams were to be inculcated into the Meath championship, surely the main purpose thereof would be to improve the competitiveness and therefore quality of the club fare.

Which, according to naysayers, needs drastic overhauling. Yet with the exception of a brilliant Dunshaughlin team two decades ago and an equally excellent Ratoath one most recently, you don't see teams garnering streaks of titles such as, for example, Crossmaglen in Armagh or Naas in Kildare or Kilcoo in Down or, maybe most significantly, Kilmacud Crokes in Dublin.

That said, I would vehemently disagree with those who would scoff at or pour scorn on the Regional Championship locally. For there is another angle to the very existence of divisional teams. That which, as referred to earlier, was the cause of their inception in Kerry.

Giving players the opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for county selection. And yes, even in Meath, last year's Regional Championships were the avenue to senior inter county football for both Michael Flood and Keith Curtis. Though the latter did have a brief spell on the panel during Andy McEntee's tenure.

Indeed, as it happens, though this might surprise some of you, Saturday last was my first time seeing Curtis play, and was very impressed. So much so that it would be felt that he, at the very least, canvassed Colm O'Rourke for more game time in 2024.

All of which leaves me to conclude this week pondering the following - who will be the player or players to catch An mBainisteoir's eye in this year's chase for the Richie Barry Cup?