The infamous Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich (not like our jelly, but jam!).
A great American concept, that weirdly works.
So let’s try an American concept in Ireland,
That might weirdly work...
Background
It just so happens to be NFL draft season in the US.
And, with the League finals completed last weekend and the Under 21 final today.
It got me thinking.
What if there was a draft system in GAA?
4 reasons it could work.
1. The Cadburys Under21 championship is the perfect feeder system.
2. County's league placing’s set the drafting order. This would also make our much maligned national league more relevant.
3. With Dublin in danger of taking over the current GAA landscape or worse possibly being split. An evening up the standard would make sense.
4. The interest the draft would bring, right before the new season every year would be great exposure for the GAA in the off season and a great pre championship Media boost.
Rules
-A maximum of 5 players per county can be selected.
-The players selected are in their final or second last year at under 21.
-All-Ireland finalists get an extra pick midway through.
-League finalists are rewarded with higher ranking.
(Limerick are Division 4 champs they get the first pick, Offaly the second)
Here’s how a live blog of this year’s Draft night might play out.
Setting the Scene
While I’m being all hypothetical Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh is going to be my MC for the night, the perfect man for any GAA occasion never mind a significant GAA occasion such as this one.
'Dia daoibh agus fáilte chuig an oíche stáirúil seo i saol an Chumann Lúthchleas Gael!'
He welcomes the crowd in only a way Micheál can, I love the way his Irish is so fluid.
As he is delighted to welcome to a packed function room in GAA HQ, Pairc an Chrócaigh’
Okay Micheál, enough of the Gaelige!
Ceart go leor, First of all I'd like to say we have a Vintage draft this year, packed with talent and players of a generation!!!
True Micheál, very true.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill enters the stage.... to rapturous applause (Clinks of tea Cups and Hang Sangbo’s flying everywhere!)
O'Neill reaches the podium and states and with a nervous frowned look on his face and only Liam can do and he begins to speak...
....with the number one pick in the inaugural GAA draft, Limerick (Division 4 winners) select...
1.
Ciaran Kilkenny, Forward, Dublin.
Just when Ciaran thought he was free from his Australian rules nightmare and secures a long future with his beloved Dublin. He gets sent to Limerick.
He reaches the stage with the Greenest of Green Limerick hat and a face like thunder.
A massive boost to Limerick football he could be the key to them finally making a breakthrough in Munster.
Back to Liam
With the second pick in the GAA draft Offaly select...
2.
Fiontán Ó’Curraoin, Midfield, Galway.
The crowd seem a little shocked, The Galway midfielder and U21 captain was not expected to go so high.
Current Offaly Manager Emmett McDonnell explains the rationale behind the pick
‘We need a midfielder to compete and build a future around Fintan is the best of midfielder of this draft class.’
With the third pick in the GAA draft London select...
3.
Patrick McBrearty
Already an All-Ireland winner, the perfect franchise player London need to attract crowds to Ruislip.
Marty Morrisey says ‘He won’t be the first Donegal man to go to London in search of work’.
With the fourth pick in the GAA Draft Carlow Select
4.
Cillian O’Connor, Forward, Mayo.
Anthony Rainbow has gotten his man. O’Connor is a natural leader and free kick specialist. The potential of Brendan Murphy and O’Connor linking up with him might give Carlow the consistency needed to cause a few upsets in Leinster.
With the Fifth Pick in GAA Draft Waterford select
5.
Jack McCaffrey, Defender, Dublin.
Our first defender selected tonight and what a player.
Former Kerry and AFL star Tadgh Kennelly says McCaffrey’s 20 metre sprint times from the GAA Draft Combine were the best ever recorded.
Here's my remaining picks.....
THE Top 33 players 2013!
1 Limerick select: Ciaran Kilkenny, Dublin
2 Offaly select: Fiontán Ó Curraoin, Galway
3 London select: Paddy McBearty, Donegal
4 Carlow Select: Cillian O'Connor, Mayo
5 Waterford Select: Jack McCaffrey, Dublin
6 Leitrim select: Paul Mannion, Dublin
Teams up with Elmyn Mulligan in the forwards, rock solid pick
7 Clare select: Shane Walsh, Galway
Classy operator, Clare have secured the services of a mercurial talent
8 Tipperary select: Sean Hurley, Kildare
Large Midfielder, will help Tipperary greatly in being competitive around the middle third.
9 Monaghan select: Jack McCarron, Monaghan
Monaghan decided to stick with their own and select Currin’s second most famous player
10 Meath select: Tomas Flynn, Galway
Meath need a Mobile midfielder, other teams felt Flynn’s knee was too much of a risk.
11 Wicklow select: Ronan O'Neill, Tyrone
In the mould of Kevin O’Brien Class act, Mickey Harte is outside protesting!
12 Antrim select: Damien Cahalane, Cork
This draft was a part of the James Loughrey trade made between the two counties earlier in the season.
13 Sligo select: Paul Cribben, Kildare
Very Versatile player, Gives Sligo alot of Options.
14 Cavan select: Conor Clarke, Tyrone
The Omagh man can fill a number of holes for the Cavan Defence can play Midfield also.
15 Roscommon select: Paddy McCollum GK, Longford
With the Goalkeeping crisis in Roscommon They need a solid Goalkepeer, Paddy not only looks the part but is the best in this draft.
16 Fermanagh select: Mark Sugrue, Cork
Direct runner and will add to a rudderless Fermanagh half forward line.
All-Ireland finalists Pick
Donegal select: Padraig Fogarty, Kildare
Powerful full forward, can act as cover to Murphy and Mcfadden or allow Murphy to go out the field.
Mayo select: Conor Cox, Kerry
Talented underage Kerry forwards, are a very rare currency Cox is the forward Mayo need to lead their line. A Kerry Forward leading the line for Mayo, amazing.
17 Derry select: Killian Clarke, Cavan
Impressive defender and just what Derry need.
18 Westmeath select: Jack Brady, Cavan
Crafty Forward, ready to takeover the Dessie Dolan mantle, Serious University pedigree.
19 Longford select: Séan Moran, Galway
20 Wexford select: Niall Sludden, Tyrone
21 Armagh select: Danny Savage, Down
22 Galway select: Niall Kelly, Kildare
23 Louth select: Colin Compton, Roscommon
24 Laois select: Darren McCurry, Tyrone
25 Dublin select: Daniel Flynn, Kildare
26 Tyrone select: Tommy Moolick, Kildare
27 Down select: Ian Maguire, Cork
28 Donegal select: Martin O'Reilly, Donegal
29 Kerry select: Padraig O Sé, Kerry
30 Cork select: Darragh McVitty, Cavan
31 Mayo select: Robbie Smyth, Longford
32 Kildare select: Brian Hurley, Cork
Well what do you think?
Could it work?
Who would you like for your county?
From the 33, have I missed out on any other players?
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