BEFORE we get onto the games last weekend and the upcoming fixtures on Saturday and Sunday, I’d like to touch base on the two controversial topics that were floating about last week.

Let’s begin with the motion that was put forward by Cavan to move their Ulster Championship clash away from Antrim’s home ground, Corrigan Park.

We are all fully aware of the difficulties that have taken place with Casement Park over the last number of years so Antrim have been playing their games at Corrigan Park for quite some time now, so naturally they see it as their home venue.

When the draw was made, Antrim came out of the hat first which means they have a home game so if they decide to play the game at Corrigan Park then that’s where the game should be played – simple as that.

Cavan are on the other side of the fence. They see that Antrim have been improving under Enda McGinley for the past two seasons and they are looking for any advantage possible to enable them to get over the first-round clash.

I feel that this is a serious issue within the GAA, basically how we go about deciding on things. There is no transparency whatsoever in terms of motions put forward. If I have enough friends spread out throughout the country, and if I talk to them nicely enough, I will have a chance of getting my motion passed, even if it’s the wrong thing to do.

I feel strongly that not only Antrim but the rest of the GAA community should take a stand on this and make sure that the right thing is done and Antrim get to host the game in Corrigan Park. If the decision is taken to move the game then we should find out who voted for that and they should be made to explain their reasoning for the decision.

I was lucky enough to play an Ulster Club Championship game in Corrigan Park and I was on record at the time in saying that it was one of my favourite venues that I have ever played at. The pitch is in great condition, the atmosphere created is special as the supporters are close by. I can’t understand why any player wouldn’t want to sample that atmosphere.

I personally think it would make the game between these two counties extra special. So for me it’s the Whiterock Road or nowhere!

The second issue this week was the fallout between the GPA, the players and Croke Park over the payment of expenses.

I listened to The Sunday Game last weekend and although I like Colm O’Rourke as a fella, I think that his opinion is so far out of touch. If counties are asking their players to train five, six or seven times a week then every time you jump in your car you simply have to be reimbursed for those journeys.

The counter argument being made is that expenses are granted for up to four trips per week be it for training or games and the player welfare card has also been thrown into the mix. However, by suggesting that no team should be training more than that anyway, well if you are one of those people who think that teams only get together four times per week then like Colm you may be slightly out of touch with reality.

I am not saying that you need to be training collectively more than four days per week but the reality is that’s what’s happening so until Croke Park strictly enforce a cap on county team sessions, in my opinion players should be paid for every journey that they make.

Onto the games this weekend and things are heating up at both ends of the table. This weekend I will travel to Croke Park to watch Dublin clash with Donegal in what has now become an extremely important game for both teams.

Dublin tore up all the obituary notices last weekend as they put All-Ireland champions Tyrone to the sword and now with a game against Donegal in their own backyard, they will fancy their chances of collecting another two points this weekend.

The Dublin panel has been slowly improving over the last number of weeks with some key players making a return and this weekend we might see the first glimpse of Con O’Callaghan, and if that happens Dublin will be in a good place.

From Donegal’s point of view, we need to bounce back after another disappointing display against Monaghan last weekend. They simply looked streets ahead of us and they looked a little hungrier than we did.

The Donegal GAA community are anxious at the minute as they see a lack of progression and at times we seem to really struggle to create any meaningful opportunities. Like Dublin, this is a massive game this weekend because another defeat heaps pressure on the players as they gear up for the start of the Ulster Championship campaign.

The other games are also massive this weekend with Tyrone facing off against Mayo, Armagh hosting Kerry and Kildare clashing with Monaghan. So after this weekend’s round of games it should be a lot clearer in terms of who will be in real danger heading into the last round of fixtures.