‘Team Ulster set to be discussed

By Niall McCoy

THE chairperson of Ulster GAA’s Hurling Committee has said that they will be more than open to discussing the idea of the ‘Team Ulster’ project at their next meeting.

Strabane man Ciaran McLaughlin chairs the committee with representatives from all nine counties, and given that the topic is back in the public eye, it is very likely to come up.

McLaughlin said that any idea promoting hurling in Ulster, including ‘Team Ulster’, would be given air-time.

“In Ulster, we will give consideration to every suggestion to develop hurling.

“We all want to see Ulster teams competing at the highest levels and will of course look at any avenue suggested that could help achieve that.”

The topic is back in the public eye after Jerome Quinn hosted a panel discussion with a number of Ulster hurling figures who were in support of the idea of entering a team at Liam MacCarthy level.

McLaughlin added words of caution: “The official guide would need adjusting to permit players from different counties to compete in an Ulster team in inter-county competition. Governance is another hurdle.

“There are also issues around competition calendar. If, for example, Armagh signed up to join ‘Team Ulster’ would they forfeit their spot in the Nicky Rackard Cup? Would it be a weakened Orchard county without their Ulster players?

“The Orchard hurlers are proud to be able to represent their county and want to do so competitively. So you can see the real challenges the proposition creates.”

Derry’s Chrissy McKaigue was one of those who backed the project.

“At this stage it is worth a gamble because things can’t really get any worse,” said the Slaughtneil and Oakleaf dual player.

Antrim’s involvement could be a key sticking point. Earlier this week, Neil McManus told the Irish News that the idea would not be entertained in the county. However, former Saffron player Eddie McCloskey told Quinn that Antrim’s involvement shouldn’t make or break the idea.

“Obviously with Antrim they would be a much stronger team, they’d have a bigger pool of players to pick from,” said the Loughgiel man.

“But you have your strong players from your Derrys, your Downs, all your counties. I think with those players they have the potential to be competitive at that level.”

That was a view backed by Down manager Ronan Sheehan.

“Even without the Antrim lads I think it’s worth a go.

“If you think about how teams in the likes of Cork and Kerry work, the divisional teams, they play in those championships.

“Look at Séamie Harnedy, Séamie Harnedy will play for St Ita’s, a junior club, but he will lead the way for Imokilly when it comes to the Cork Senior Championship.”

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com