When it comes to the GAA, one of the things that differentiates it from other sports is that you are pretty much stuck with one inter-county team for life. Player migration isn't really a thing, of course with a few well-known exceptions.
It is something that we could see more of in the game going forward, however. There have been a number of examples this year, with a few different counties taking advantage of the heritage rule to bring in players from outside the county.
On this week's Three Man Weave, the Balls.ie GAA podcast, the topic of teams bringing in players from outside their own county was brought up. Wicklow, who brought native Dubs David Devereux and Oisin Manning onto the panel this year, were given as the prime example.
Speaking to Balls.ie earlier this year, Wicklow's Patrick O'Connor outlined what the pair have brought to the panel.
I suppose this year we were really gelling together and we had the two new lads from Dublin joining us. We were only getting to know each other because there were so many new lads on the panel this year. Hopefully now next year we can push for promotion.
David Devereux and Oisin Manning from St Judes. I think there are a good few people that are eligible for Wicklow. Obviously with the two lads coming in from Dublin, they are very professional and everything they do is at 100%.
There might be a few more. Wicklow might chase a few of them, but definitely the two lads they have brought in have been unbelievable this year.
With lads coming from Dublin, you would think they might look down on Wicklow. But the two lads seen their chance and took it with both hands, came in and gave everything. They seem to be really enjoying it, they came in and fit in straight away with all the lads. You'd swear they were on the team the last four or five years the way they fit in after a week or two.
Wicklow are not the only county to bring in outside recruits. Skerries Harps' Jack Smith has joined with the Westmeath panel, while Shane Horan of Kilmacud Crokes has featured for Offaly.
As counties continue to look for every possible advantage, this could become a more regular occurrence in the coming years.
Wicklow will take on Kildare in their Leinster Championship opener tomorrow evening, hoping to cause an upset. The last time they overcame their neighbours in the championship was in 2008, but perhaps their new recruits can make the difference this time around.
To listen to this week's Three Man Weave podcast, search 'Balls.ie' via Spotify, iTunes, Pocketcast or any other podcast platform.
