McShea's Say: Integration argument ‘hollow in the extreme’
The fallout and the blame game that evolved after the chair of the integration committee, former President Mary McAleese, resigned last week has done little to enhance the prospects of a quick resolution to this problem.
The LGFA and their camogie friends must be extremely disappointed at the pace involved in getting a decision, and the excuse that it would require a further €45m to make this integration happen is, I believe, a very exaggerated figure.
The GAA argue that the addition of the other bodies would push the expenditure on county teams to twice that €45m, so they perceive that this would cost the organisation an annual figure of €90m.
I was amazed to see that it is currently costing a figure of €45m to keep the show on the road at inter-county level. With development squads and foreign training camps, both areas where a lot of money could and should be saved, I am very much in favour of inter-county players being very well looked after, but how €45m can be justified I simply cannot understand.
The argument for delay until it is right seems hollow in the extreme, as any new organisation will no doubt require some modification from day one.
Brendan Lowry
The GAA Sports Person of the Week simply has has to be Brendan Lowry.
While his son Shane was playing incredible golf in winning the Irish Open by a record-breaking 11 shots, dad Brendan was on the sideline in his capacity as a selector with his beloved club Clara.
The first question Shane asked his mum as she ran to hug him after his wonderful victory was: “How did Clara get on?”
Unfortunately, they lost their match, but the loyalty which Brendan showed to his club was so special and is a clear indication that the Lowrys have not forgotten their roots.
Donegal Championship
St Eunan’s playing Dungloe, Naomh Conaill take on Kilcar, Sean MacCumhaills are up against Gaoth Dobhair, and Glenswilly meet St Michael’s makes for a most interesting four SFC quarter-finals.
I have to confess that I was very surprised to see Four Masters beaten by St Michael’s last Sunday in a game where county captain Michael Langan kicked four two-pointers for his side, while former county man Martin McElhinney made a big influence on proceedings when he moved to partner Langan in the middle of the park.
Yet again, Kevin Muldoon was most impressive for the Donegal Town side, and I would expect to see Kevin get lots of game time when county football resumes at the end of the year.
Kilcar came out on top after a good battle last week against Naomh Columba, where yet again Ryan McHugh was his side’s most impressive performer.
Michael Murphy is doing for Glenswilly what David Clifford is doing for his club Fossa. Last week, David hit 16 points for his club and this Sunday he scored another 15 points, while Michael scored 1-6 of his team’s total when Glenswilly prevailed with a bit to spare against Termon.
While it is great to see Langan, McHugh and Murphy in such great form, I would love to see some new blood emerge with the potential to pull on our county jersey. Hopefully, the quarter-finals will come up with a few players of real potential.
Aodh Ruadh Survive
I was pleased to see the Aodh Ruadh boys prevail in their relegation battle with Glenfin on Saturday evening in Ardara.
This was the team’s best display of the year, and while they are quite a young outfit, they do endeavour to play attractive football.
In Jack Gallagher, Nathan Boyle, Shane Delahunty, the two McGraths and Peter Boyle, they have the nucleus of an emerging team, and it is to be hoped that 2027 will see them play with the consistency to make their mark at the top level.