National Forum

Pre Season Winter Tournaments, Time To Go?

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I've come to the conclusion that for the GAA to deal with the pressing issues of player burnout and fixtures congestion something will have to give on the traditional fixtures calendar and the lowest common denominator has to be the inter county tournaments taking place at this time of year i.e Walsh Cup, O'Byrne cup, McKenna cup, Munster league etc. Surely with most inter county players involved in third level competitions around now along with exams and the National League around the corner starting another busy inter county season which will be followed by the club championships surely having more compulsory fixtures to play like these tournaments is as unnecessary as the fixtures are meaningless. If teams wish to arrange challenge matches as preparation work they can do so but should teams really have to play matches at this time of year?.

Deisewexican (Waterford) - Posts: 30 - 04/01/2020 14:45:31    2257291

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I know in Leinster the proceeds of the OBC go toward the players injury fund in Leinster, it's why I was disappointed at the false rumor that we had pulled out of this years tournament as we are a big draw for the fund.

We tend to use it to offer lads with hopes of breaking the IC panel an opportunity and its been fertile ground for us with many taking that change and going on to win multiple All Ireland's. However the majority don't go on and play mostly for their clubs or head to the states.

I suppose it's how each county board wants to use these competitions and whether they play a strong or hopeful panel and how they want to manage players loads.

I enjoy it, we have a model that works for us and they benefit players welfare overall, so I wouldn't have an issue with the OBC anyway.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4502 - 04/01/2020 15:45:48    2257304

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Replying To TheUsername:  "I know in Leinster the proceeds of the OBC go toward the players injury fund in Leinster, it's why I was disappointed at the false rumor that we had pulled out of this years tournament as we are a big draw for the fund.

We tend to use it to offer lads with hopes of breaking the IC panel an opportunity and its been fertile ground for us with many taking that change and going on to win multiple All Ireland's. However the majority don't go on and play mostly for their clubs or head to the states.

I suppose it's how each county board wants to use these competitions and whether they play a strong or hopeful panel and how they want to manage players loads.

I enjoy it, we have a model that works for us and they benefit players welfare overall, so I wouldn't have an issue with the OBC anyway."
Same as that. Absolutely delighted with how the funding goes. And it's always nice to shake off the turkey. Keep them going.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/01/2020 19:49:05    2257369

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If they were gotten rid of they would be replaced by challenge games anyway. Would be nicer for the players I assume if it was all in January though.

If we are to lose some games my favourite in hurling at least is the 3 rounds of knock out in the league

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 04/01/2020 19:58:46    2257373

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Replying To Deisewexican:  "I've come to the conclusion that for the GAA to deal with the pressing issues of player burnout and fixtures congestion something will have to give on the traditional fixtures calendar and the lowest common denominator has to be the inter county tournaments taking place at this time of year i.e Walsh Cup, O'Byrne cup, McKenna cup, Munster league etc. Surely with most inter county players involved in third level competitions around now along with exams and the National League around the corner starting another busy inter county season which will be followed by the club championships surely having more compulsory fixtures to play like these tournaments is as unnecessary as the fixtures are meaningless. If teams wish to arrange challenge matches as preparation work they can do so but should teams really have to play matches at this time of year?."
What would the benefit be of scrapping them? Your player burnout argument makes no sense. An inter county player will train or play 100s of times between November and June, and you think dropping what is only 1 game for some counties will help prevent burnout?

These fixtures aren't compulsory either, as many teams do pull out (Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary have declined to join the McGrath Cup in recent years, and Galway the Walsh Cup)

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1677 - 04/01/2020 23:25:37    2257417

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Never understand people who want to do away with these. Teams are training this time of year anyway and if these tournment were got rid of they'd play challenge games anyway so theres no difference

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1564 - 05/01/2020 10:00:14    2257452

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "What would the benefit be of scrapping them? Your player burnout argument makes no sense. An inter county player will train or play 100s of times between November and June, and you think dropping what is only 1 game for some counties will help prevent burnout?

These fixtures aren't compulsory either, as many teams do pull out (Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary have declined to join the McGrath Cup in recent years, and Galway the Walsh Cup)"
I do think the GAA calendar is not good. The problem I see is that the National Leagues are played to early. Really the season proper should be starting late Feb/March.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4504 - 05/01/2020 10:33:11    2257458

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Why do teams need tournaments to play for pre season. Especially knockout cups?
They already have friendlies organised. Let them play those and then have more of those if they want
Pre season games shouldn't have to be in a competition

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 05/01/2020 11:13:32    2257464

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Why do teams need tournaments to play for pre season. Especially knockout cups?
They already have friendlies organised. Let them play those and then have more of those if they want
Pre season games shouldn't have to be in a competition"
I guess it's just tradition now and they probably generate a bit more interest out of fans.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4504 - 05/01/2020 12:34:07    2257484

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Why do teams need tournaments to play for pre season. Especially knockout cups?
They already have friendlies organised. Let them play those and then have more of those if they want
Pre season games shouldn't have to be in a competition"
If they're gonna play games anyways then I don't see the problem with via a tournament. Especially ones that raises funds for injured players.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 341 - 05/01/2020 13:27:45    2257496

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "If they're gonna play games anyways then I don't see the problem with via a tournament. Especially ones that raises funds for injured players."
Why does everything need to be a tournament especially when you are talking about pre season which is all about getting ready and being as prepared you can be for your main competitons such as the league Funds can still be arranged and collected with friendlies

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 05/01/2020 14:14:44    2257509

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Get rid of them NOW !!!

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6177 - 05/01/2020 15:29:41    2257523

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Yes discontinue please

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 05/01/2020 16:41:05    2257546

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Why does everything need to be a tournament especially when you are talking about pre season which is all about getting ready and being as prepared you can be for your main competitons such as the league Funds can still be arranged and collected with friendlies"
Seriously what difference would it make if they're a tournament or not?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1564 - 06/01/2020 12:23:42    2257722

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Replying To oneoff:  "Seriously what difference would it make if they're a tournament or not?"
Makes a difference to the lads playing, always nice to be able to look back at the end of your career and say you played a competitive game for your county. Every year people seem to get bothered by these competitions for no good reason, it's developing into one of the GAA strangest traditions.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 06/01/2020 14:30:58    2257756

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Replying To oneoff:  "Seriously what difference would it make if they're a tournament or not?"
Why do you need a knock out tournament in pre season? Why is your pre season determined by success.
Everything should be about prep for the main season that shouldn't be including a cup competition.
It should be simply games, training games not something where cup is on offer

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 06/01/2020 15:00:14    2257763

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Replying To Soma:  "Makes a difference to the lads playing, always nice to be able to look back at the end of your career and say you played a competitive game for your county. Every year people seem to get bothered by these competitions for no good reason, it's developing into one of the GAA strangest traditions."
Would a player really be going on in years to come talking how they played in a January tournament game as opposed to a normal run of mill friendly. Oh because they may get a piece of tin for playing in some of January games. Yeah right!

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 06/01/2020 15:02:07    2257766

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Would a player really be going on in years to come talking how they played in a January tournament game as opposed to a normal run of mill friendly. Oh because they may get a piece of tin for playing in some of January games. Yeah right!"
Did you not make the Limerick this year or something?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1564 - 06/01/2020 15:31:50    2257780

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Replying To Soma:  "Makes a difference to the lads playing, always nice to be able to look back at the end of your career and say you played a competitive game for your county. Every year people seem to get bothered by these competitions for no good reason, it's developing into one of the GAA strangest traditions."
I think they should be kept. As I said teams are training this time of year they would be playing challenge matches anyway.

No one ever actually gives a reason as to why they want to get rid of them

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1564 - 06/01/2020 15:33:44    2257782

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Replying To oneoff:  "I think they should be kept. As I said teams are training this time of year they would be playing challenge matches anyway.

No one ever actually gives a reason as to why they want to get rid of them"
Why do you need tournaments as pre season games. Just play friendlies. Especially knock out cups. Why should your pre season be somewhat determined by a knockout cup competition

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 06/01/2020 15:58:19    2257791

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