The GAA inter-county split seasons has created a lot of divide between club and county teams, but not in Down.
It's an age-old issue. Many county teams won't allow their players to play for their clubs whilst being involved in the county setup over fear of injury.
This obviously makes sense for the regular squad players but extended panel of 35 or 40, this approach means limbo.
Some fringe players, who aren't seeing a load of playing time with their county teams, are training over four days a week without playing a single match this year.
One county team with a refreshing approach to this conundrum is Down. Conor Laverty has been a breath of fresh air in the Mourne county since taking the reins ahead of this season, and his attitude towards his wider panel shows why Down are on the up.
Down GAA's progressive approach
Speaking after Down beat Longford at the weekend, Down GAA's assistant manage Mickey Donnelly detailed why Down allow players outside their regular squad of 18 to play league game with the club. u
“Absolutely it’s a risk, but it’s a risk you have to take. People respect honesty,'' he said.
He believes for fringe players who are limited with game time minutes can really benefit from playing with their club in the league.
“If someone was to say to you you’re not in the 18 this week, you can go and play with your club and if you play well you could get in. I think that’s far better than keeping lads sitting on their hands, not getting into a 26, week after week and playing no football. Then maybe an injury crisis comes, he gets his opportunity and he flops because he’s been so long without playing in that sort of environment.”
Down has already seen both the advantages and disadvantages of their decision to allow players to feature midweek for their club teams.
Ryan McEvoy went off injured during his club side Kilcoo’s league clash with Mayobridge last Wednesday, resulting in him playing no part in last Saturday's Tailteann Cup preliminary round quarter-final win over Longford.
Rory Mason, on the other hand, what could be gained from the approach. Mason featured for Loughinisland against Clonduff on Wednesday and earned himself a place in the Down matchday panel for the Longford game. His introduction off the bench played a massive role in Down's eventual victory.
Strength and conditioning expert Mike McGurn was amongst those who were praising Down for their approach after the news broke at the weekend.
Fair play Down Senior GAA management in allowing non starting players to tog out for club getting much needed match time will stand to them love to see Down win the TC now and hopefully start a positive precedent @downgaa 👏👏 https://t.co/rVD7oylsgc
— Mike McGurn (@MichaelMcGurn2) June 11, 2023
Even if should Down fall to Cavan in the Tailteann Cup quarterfinal, Laverty has done great work in energising Down football again after recent struggles.
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