Counihan expects that minor championship will conclude

MONAGHAN U17 manager Mark Counihan has argued that the latest postponement of the Ulster Minor Championship could’ve been avoided had Ulster GAA moved to play the quarter-finals at an earlier juncture.

The Farney County were due to play Fermanagh in the semi-final this weekend, but it was pulled after the Republic of Ireland re-entered Level Five restrictions.

While he’s still cautiously optimistic that oustanding games will be played, the window is tightening and he believes that the fixtures chiefs should’ve recommenced matches at an earlier date before Christmas.

Monaghan beat Antrim with plenty to spare on December 19, but Counihan says it could’ve been played a week earlier.

“I don’t see them pulling the competition entirely at this stage, it’s just a pity it couldn’t have continued as scheduled as there are only a handful of teams in the country who are still playing.

“It’s frustrating – we’ve taken all the precautions and there have been no real incidents with Covid relating to county minor activity.

“Every other province got up and running again on December 12, but we were pushed back until the 19 as there was a lockdown in the six counties.

“I was speaking to four of the six managers in the north, and they would’ve been more than happy to go again. I think a lack of communication with those important stakeholders has cost a bit of time and we possibly could’ve got it completed by now otherwise.”

A teacher in St Macartan’s College, Counihan also fears that the MacRory Cup will no longer go ahead. It was scheduled to start up later this month, but that’s been put on the backburner, and it’s questionable whether it will be played at all this year.

“It’s probably unlikely that it’s going to be played at this stage, which would be a huge pity for the guys in their final year.

“It’s a tricky one – they’re in their bubbles at school and there’s a squeeze in the calendar. So the schools will probably end up missing out which would be a huge pity. The club season and intercounty seasons are mostly sorted, and it’s schools and universities which will probably miss out, and I think it’s a huge pity for the players.”