By Niall McCoy

FORMER Down All-Ireland winner Miceal Magill believes that an u-22 age-grade would be a welcome addition to the GAA calendar to give players a better route to senior intercounty football and hurling.

The former Mourne defender was speaking in the wake of Down’s All-Ireland U-20 Football Championship semi-final loss to Roscommon at the weekend, and while delighted with their performances over the last month, it struck him that it was a big ask to make the step up, even more so since the grading moved down a year from u-21 following a decision at the 2016 GAA Congress.

Magill, whose son Danny was a key player for Conor Laverty’s side, would like to see the idea explored at least.

“Once you’re finished at that u-20 age-bracket it’s a massive step up,” said Magill.

“I just think it would be a great incentive for lads, particularly to keep them interested, if that u-22 age-bracket was brought in.

“Obviously there are some considerations to take on board, you maybe don’t want extra games during a pandemic or to increase the pressure on club football, but I think it would be a great idea.

“If you go from u-20 to u-22 you have a two-year incentive and it’s almost like a development squad for a senior squad.

“You’re giving lads time to develop before stepping up. Kilcoo had the strongest representation on the Down team, they had Tiernan Fettes, Shealan Johnson, Sean Og McCusker, Anthony Morgan and Justin Clarke that will go into the Kilcoo senior and could be possibly playing Ulster Club and they are going to be gaining experience at a high level.

“It’s the other lads I’m thinking of who maybe aren’t in such a competitive environment with regards their club football.

“The step up from u-20 to senior is huge in conditioning never mind game management and commitment and other areas like that.”

Despite the loss to Roscommon, Magill is confident that a large portion of the squad can transition through to the senior ranks having secured the county’s first provincial title at that level since 2009.

“That have given us four tremendous weeks and it’s a massive lift for the county,” he said. “Down needed it badly.

“Strong lads, good attitudes, they want to be successful, and now that they have tasted it they’ll want to taste more of it.

“With a new management team (for the Down seniors) it’s like everyone is starting fresh. It’s like everyone has got their A-Level results, and this team got top marks, and they’re off to college on a level playing field.

“There will be eight, nine or 10 players wondering will they get the call in September or October to see if they are on board.

“Ten or 12 of them would be well fit for it,” Magill added.