Mixed reaction to midweek fixtures

A special meeting of Clare GAA last week was told that a number of clubs could not play midweek fixturesbecause they have players based away from home and overseas.
Due to the involvement of Clare in the minor and U-21 hurling championships, the meeting was called to determine if clubs were prepared to switch championship games to midweek in order to accommodate players who are involved with the county sides.
PJ Cunningham (Clooney-Quin), Niall Romer (Kilmaley), Mike Deassy (Sixmilebridge), Michael Hogan (Clonlara) Joe McNamara (St Joseph’s), Martin Lynch ­(Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Catriona O’Connor (Liscannor), Michael Keane (Ballyea) and John Lynch (Kilkee) were amongst those who informed the meeting they could not play midweek.
A number of clubs said they were prepared to switch the upcoming championship games to a midweek date and some confirmed that they had already agreed the day with their opponents.
“There is no way we can play midweek. We have two players in London and one in Dublin and we are going nowhere without them.
“We cannot fulfil a midweek fixture,” Mr Cunningham told the meeting.
“We have players in Sligo, Waterford and Dublin and we also have two on the Clare minor panel,” Niall Romer said.
Newmarket’s Mike Clancy said that his club would “be prepared to fulfil a midweek fixture in August”.
Clondegad’s Martin Brennan expressed disappointment that the discussion was taking place at that time. “Clare are still in the football championship and Kerry haven’t beaten Clare yet,” he noted.
Cooraclare’s PJ McGuane reminded the delegates that the format for the senior football championship had changed and that replays may be needed.
Kilrush delegate Colm Browne, a member of the committee that drew up the masters fixtures plan, told the meeting that it had been agreed that extra time would be played in the event of a draw.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane chairman Martin Lynch offered to bring his club’s senior championship game against Cratloe forward to this Friday evening but he stressed that they are not able to play midweek because three of their players are based away from home and four do shift work.
Reminding the meeting that Kilmaley “voted against the masters fixtures plan at the beginning of the season”, Mr Romer said “we have to look after the club players”.
County secretary Pat Fitzgerald listed the upcoming fixtures in both football and hurling and highlighted the games that have players who are also required for county action in the coming week.
The meeting agreed to adjourn to allow the
representatives of the clubs involved to meet in an effort to agree a date, within the week, when they could play the games in question.
Before adjourning, the delegates voted 40 to five to allow the masters fixtures plan to be set aside so that the fixtures in question could be changed.