MORE power to the clubs. Over the last number of weeks we have been treated to some of the most exciting and exhilarating games of football and hurling that I have ever seen.

At the start of this pandemic we were unsure if there would be any on-field action at all, and then as we began to see some light at the end of the tunnel the discussion was based around whether we should have county, club or both.

The powers that be took the decision to give club football, hurling and camogie preference and what a decision that is turning out to be.

The county scene has dominated things over the last number of years and while it does have its moments and the odd humdinger of a game, there is something just a little more special about the club scene.

By giving clubs preference and allowing games to be played during the summer months, Croke Park may have just created a monster. It’s one thing having our club games take centre stage, but delivering like they have over the last number of weeks could result in this decision becoming a game-changer.

Great credit must go to each and every county board and each and every club for filling our summer with joy, excitement and wonder. Those club championships all over the country provided us with the outlet that we all so dearly needed.

When you look back over the club championships we really did have a it all. We had Friday night games, we had extra time, we had replays, we had penalties, we had minnows that succeeded, we had champions who fell and with each passing week it just seemed to get bigger and better.

We must also give great credit to the likes of TG4, RTÉ and all the live streams from clubs and county boards that ensured that every weekend we had an action packed schedule of club hurling and football to watch.

The club scene came to life and I honestly believe that the powers that be will have to rethink things after this because I don’t think that GAA people in general will settle for the county scene getting preference any longer.

This model landed on our lap by accident but it may just be the way forward. Clubs will flourish, more young players will play the game and costs on county boards will be lowered. I think it’s a win-win for everyone.

We will see how the county scene plays out now over the next few weeks and months but it would need to produce one hell of a season in order to trump what we have witnessed with the clubs.

Maybe it’s just me but there seems to be more of an appetite for club football and hurling. Perhaps it’s because more teams have a chance or perhaps it’s down to us being hungry for GAA action having been denied that over the few moths of lockdown. I don’t know but one thing is for sure, change is coming and if I’m honest, I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.

We have had a number of fantastic club championships and a few have spoken about the possibility of Croke Park reintroducing the provincial championships but, unfortunately, I think that ship has sailed.

Once the decision was taken to scrap them this year I just don’t think that it would be the right thing to bring them back at this stage. I do believe that the decision not to run them was the wrong decision to take at that time but now that it has been made we should stick with that.

Club football and hurling has really stepped up to the plate so we should finish on a high and get to the table and demand that it is given more preference now.

Club kingpins Corofin lost their Galway title last weekend and I am not in anyway taking away from Mountbellew-Moylough’s win, but I do wonder that if there was a provincial and All-Ireland series to come would we perhaps have seen a different Corofin team?

Now that the decision has been made I think it’s only fair to stick with that as I don’t believe it would be fair on the likes of Corofin to announce at this stage that there would be an All-Ireland series.

By the time we get to next week’s edition, the Donegal county final should be played as the game is fixed for next Wednesday night, but with everything that is going on we are not sure if it will even go ahead.

I outlined the reasons for my anger last week and it’s just a real shame that we have the two top teams in the county this year sitting waiting and no one knows if the game will be played or not.

For those of us on the outside it’s impossible for us to get too excited as it’s just not the same as previous years for obvious reasons, and although we had a great championship here in Donegal it’s a terrible way to end things.

Hopefully the game will go ahead and both teams will have their big day out that they have worked so hard for.

We are left with two excellent teams who know each other inside out so the big question is will this be another low scoring tactical battle or will they opt for a shootout?

I know both teams really well having played them both a lot over the last few years so if I was a betting man I’d put my money of Naomh Conaill. Kilcar have some great footballers but I’m just not sure they will be able to match their opponents in terms of work rate and hunger and for that reason I’ll go for Naomh Conaill by four points.

comment@gaeliclife.com