CUMANN CHAT – Fergal McCann’s impact, returning to action, schools football and more

I SEE a lot of chat about whether or not the GAA should resume in the North before the South, with Ulster GAA chief Brian McAvoy previously saying it’s unlikely before changing that stance slightly in an interview with Neil Loughran of the Irish News last week. For me, it’s a very simple decision, and not because the South moved ahead of the North last year. I want to see kids out kicking ball and swinging hurls as soon as possible and I am confident that clubs will provide a very safe environment . So once the opportunity arises, it’s vital we grasp it with both hands.

NIALL MCCOY

I SPOKE to Cathal Murray this week and he implored Ulster Schools GAA to change their position from no competitions to one where they will assess further down the line. Anyone who knows the former Down player is well aware of the passion he carried for schools GAA. He feels every win and loss – something that can be tough for a journalist when you have to get a few words from after the College lose. What was clear speaking to him though was that winning and losing has nothing to do with his call, it is about giving some relief to the students in his care. He just wants that glimmer of hope to reappear, even if it does disappear further down the line. I found it hard to disagree with his reasoning.

NIALL MCCOY

IT was hard not to feel moved by the tributes of former Tyrone players to Fergal McCann who died earlier this week at a very young age. They were very touching and genuine, and quite revealing too. Philip Jordan’s was particularly interesting. He said that when Fergal came in as a relative unknown and replaced the popular Paddy Tally, the Red Hand players were not convinced. “By God, he convinced us and more,” Jordan added. Fergal had a huge impact on some of Tyrone’s greatest days, but it sounds like he was a hell of a person too. It’s another sad day for Tyrone Gaels.

NIALL MCCOY

THE Gaelic Life Twitter poll this week asked should the GAA in the North start before the South if possible. The question was posed with an eye on what Oisin McConville said last week about the matter. He supported such a move but said that it should be limited to club teams so that the county teams in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan would not be at a disadvantage. Some of the respondents on social media suggested that the South started before the North last year. Others felt that players should be getting back to playing as soon as possible. Only 25 percent said that the North shouldn’t return before the South. I wonder if they feel that the symbolism of an Association following the same rule was important?

RONAN SCOTT

THE CPA dissolved last week because the split-season has been decided upon by the GAA. Split-seasons are coming, and every manager and player that I have spoke to on the matter have said that it is going to be a great thing for the Association. They said that everyone is happier when they only have to serve one master. The CPA did have a parting shot, which basically said that it was up to the players to make sure that the rules are followed. Michael Briody told me last year that harsh punishments must be meted out to those who break the rules. Do you think we’ll have rule breakers?

RONAN SCOTT

IN last week’s edition of Gaelic Life, former Fermanagh footballer Eamon Maguire said that he would not like to be playing football now as the style of play would not suit him. He was put off systems-based football by Rory Gallagher. Maguire’s opinion will be embraced by those who do not enjoy the spectacle of teams probing a defence, slowly trying to find a gap. Yet there are plenty of modern day footballers who think Rory Gallagher is a great manager, and who have really enjoyed his management. So who’s right and who’s wrong? Or perhaps there is no right and wrong. There are plenty of players now who would take any kind of football over having to go out and solo the ball on their own in their back garden.

RONAN SCOTT