Cumann Chat: All-Stars revamp, Fenton factor and how it’s always the hope that kills you

ALL-IRELAND champions Dublin and Limerick both received nine All-Stars, and that’s simply too much. The champions should always dominate, but it’s too heavily weighted towards the winners. One for Tipperary was a bit measly after their famous season, while two for finalists Mayo was not enough either. The breakdown should stick to a rough enough guide of five for the winners, three for the finalists, two apiece for semi-finalists and the final three can go to quarter-finalists or surprise packets who had an amazing season. Maybe we need to start thinking about the National Leagues having an influence again because, for many, this is the real chance for players to shine. Take someone like Louth’s Sam Mulroy who was a menace in Division Three and carried the form into Leinster. As it stands he has no chance of even being considered, but imagine the selection committee looked a bit more towards the leagues. Even a nomination would be a massive boost for the player and the county.

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I GET that players, by and large, don’t go down the route of blowing their own trumpet. I also get that individual awards aren’t the same as winning trophies with you team. But I also think it’s nonsense when players act like winning an All-Star isn’t a big deal. Padraig Faulkner was honest about how much it meant to him, saying he was ‘shocked’ by the news, but a few others did the whole ‘aw shucks’ thing, and it gets a bit grating. Just admit it’s nice to win an All-Star, and that secretly you’re dying to catch up with Pat Spillane or whoever.

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I, LIKE most, have watched a lot of old GAA games over lockdown 1, 2 and 3 (we’re still on 3, right?) and the atmosphere seemed so much better back in the day. That, some will argue, is because the excitement levels were much higher, but there was no greater sight than a score being met by a stream of flags waving around. Now, especially outside Croke Park, there seems to be little boisterous activity from the fans unless someone gets melted. I know health and safety has played its part, but wouldn’t it be great to see the return of the flag?

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IT’S like clockwork. Every once in a while, word filters out that, wait, the GAA might get going again earlier than expected! It usually turns out to be a load of old bunkum, and while I’ve been largely patient and understanding of the lockdowns, I think the Irish Government has to cop the blame for the lack of certainty at present. At least the Tories have given a fairly clearcut roadmap out of this mess, and while there may be a few twists in the road yet, it gives the people a bit of hope that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. The Irish Government wouldn’t know hope if it kicked them in the face, unfortunately, but sure, at least club footballers will get a chance to play a bit of football sometime in the second half of the year. What a delight. Hopefully we’ll get back to normal one of these years – the Tyrone Club Championship being the envy of Ireland, Sleacht Néill winning absolutely everything before them, etc.

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TYRONE have a overload of talented forwards on the panel at the moment, and some of those players may be wondering ‘how the hell can I get my name on the starting sheet?’ My advice, though it’s easier said than done, is to become a marquee free-taker. Last week I spoke to former Cavan star Ronan Carolan, and he said all the top teams have a marquee free-taker, but Tyrone were conspicuous by their absence when he listed those teams. Tyrone have never really found a totally reliable free-taker since Peter Canavan hung up the boots, and it would be a good boost if they could find that man. Obviously, some of their forwards are very good from frees, and the likes of Cathal McShane, Conor McKenna and Darren McCurry are brilliant attacking players full stop, but they don’t have a Dean Rock as such. Darragh Canavan, could he be the man?

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BRIAN Fenton is just 27 but already he can be considered a GAA great, and he could end up at the very top of the list when he does hang up the boots. The Raheny man already has six All-Ireland titles, five All-Stars and two Player of the Year awards. The last of those is particularly important when putting a value on Fenton’s greatness. The award was only started in 1995 so players from many golden eras have missed out, but in the quarter of a century it has been running only two players have won it twice – Fenton and Meath legend Trevor Giles. Would anyone seriously bet against the big Dublin midfielder adding a few more All-Stars and All-Ireland titles? Fenton is already a legend of the game.

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