Pat Spillane talks that much dung it’s hard to know when to believe him. Especially when the scour tends to emanate from both sides of his mouth. Now read on…
In recent days, the man of many jobs from Templenoe has stated that he is both vehemtally opposed to the split season in GAA but at the same time convinced the Tailteann Cup will be a resounding success.
Every bit of me wants to believe the two proclamations to be genuine and correct but with Pat one wouldn’t be inclined to wager much either way. For what it’s worth, I think split season is a recipe for disaster.
Not only because it will mean large swathes of the year will come and go without major GAA action or activity to capture the public interest. Especially at the time when the Association’s confidence and appeal should be at its most fervant.
Even worse, though, is the reality that with the inter county scene done with, the chances of a mass exodus – either to the US or to play AFL – become odds on. Unless a player is attached to one of the elite clubs in a county, even that may not be enough to keep them at home.
Anyway, with regard to the Tailteann Cup, the pleasing and surprising thing – to this writer at least – has been the enthusiasm with which county managers, and most importantly players, have embraced and endorsed the new competition.
Maybe nobody more so than John Maughan and his Offaly players. GAA in the Faithful County appears to be on the up again and, in terms of getting a buzz going for their continued journey in the Tailteann Cup, they certainly got the eye-catching draw with the city that never sleeps making a pitstop in Tullamore.
Of course, from a purely football point of view, Offaly will be expected to emerge from the tie with relative ease but the real intrigue and excitement will be the colour and curiosity Johnny McGeeney’s team will bring with them. The businesses in and around Tullamore probably won’t object either!
Elsewhere, the primal instincts which local derbies stir should have plenty abuzz about the other three quarter final ties. You’d just hope the matches, and those in them, get the support and coverage they deserve so as to ensure that this novel and courageous competition becomes the important and entertaining part of the GAA calendar it can be.
TAILTEANN CUP QUARTER FINALS
Leitrim v. Sligo
Offaly v. New York
Carlow v. Westmeath
Fermanagh v. Cavan