Club reps to discuss fixtures at Dunganny forum

Tonight in Dunganny, 7.30pm, clubs are invited to send representatives to a deferred 'club forum' to discuss issues relating to fixtures. The forum was originally due to be held last night but was called off because of weather conditions.

Recently clubs were sent out a discussion document which will form the catalyst of the club forum  There is also a players forum on 26th where captains of all teams in the county are invited to attend and give their opinions.

"All opinions/ideas that come up will be given consideration and it is hoped that regulation changes will then be put on agenda to county convention or really the first meeting of 2019 which is the regulation meeting," explained Co Board chairman Peter O'Halloran. 

Part of the discussion document is contained below. 

BASIC AIM
“As many as possible
As well as possible
As long as possible”
Our current games programme can’t promote this
ethos
But with reform driven by progressive individuals, it can.

ISSUES TO RESOLVE
With some consistency, the following problems with club competition have been
highlighted by Meath GAA participants;
• To complete our competitions on time, we need our county teams to fail
• Club competition schedule is unpredictable and impossible to plan around
• Premier championships not of a high enough standard
• The population of the county is dispersed differently to the way it was and our
structures fail to account for the massive population changes
• Quality players outside Senior clubs have little or no chance to play at a high
level
• Committed players at bigger clubs have an inadequate games programme
• Leagues are generally weak, especially lower leagues, and too many games are
meaningless
• Clubs do not have enough access to their county players
• County players are under constant pressure from club and county managers
• Dual clubs/players have an impossible juggling act

SIX BROAD THEMES
1. Massive fixture uncertainty
2. Club versus county
3. Lack of competitiveness
4. Unfair competition structures
5. Dual clubs/players
6. Changing demographics

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Fixed calendar with ‘down’ periods
2. Split championships into first team and reserve championship
– 16 team senior championship
– 20 team intermediate championship (first team only)
– 16 team junior championship (first team only)
– Reserve championship
3. District championship (Junior and Intermediate combinations)
4. Open the A leagues to second teams
5. Previous championship used to seed championship groups
6. Starred league games (county players available)
7. Cup competitions become pre-season competitions

ISSUES EACH RECOMMENDATION ADDRESSES
1 Fixed calendar with down periods
Addresses - chaotic fixtures; club versus county, dual clubs/players
2 Split championships into first team and reserve championship
16 team senior championship
20 team intermediate championship (first team only)
16 team junior championship (first team only)
Reserve Championship
Addresses - Chaotic fixtures, lack of competitiveness, unfair competition structures
Three district championship (Junior and Intermediate combinations)
Addresses - Lack of competitiveness, unfair competition structures, changing demographics
Four open the A leagues to second teams
Addresses - Lack of competitiveness, unfair competition structures, changing demographics
Five previous championship used to seed championship groups
Addresses - Lack of competitiveness, unfair competition structures
Six starred League games (County players available)
Addresses - Club versus county, lack of competitiveness
Seven cup competitions become pre-season competitions
Addresses - chaotic fixtures.