Okay, so it's not my area of expertise - but I know a tremendous sportsman when I see one. And John Mullane is just such a sportsman. In the last 24 hours John, along with Tipperarys' infamous Lar Corbett have both announced retirements (of varying degrees - we hope John will be back in time) from Inter-County hurling causing shock and dismay across their respective Counties.Listening - as I do - to a lot of commentary, it is obvious that the level of commitment required from amateur players in these days is, to be honest, excessive. They seem to train almost as much as professionals; their fitness and conditioning regimes are similar to professionals and their commitment and passion are in most cases from what I can see, superior to professionals. And that's all before they do their so-called 'real' days work!
What I can't understand (especially in these days of so much unemployment) is why the GAA refuse to even consider paying players or allowing them some kind of representational payment which might go some way towards allowing them to ease up on the requirement for a day job.
Why can't young boys grow up and dream of being a professional hurler - the same way they can aspire to be a professional rugby or football player? Surely with a little imagination it could be organised that Inter-County teams would have at least semi-professional players? That is in fact what they are - in every aspect, except pay.
We are expecting too much from our hurlers to expect them to give us the level of commitment now required at that level - and to hold down a full time job. Mullane and Corbett prove the case. We need guys like them on the field, playing for their Counties and for our entertainment. Not pulled in so many directions that they quite simply have to drop out - even if it's just for season!
I have to say, it's a no-brainer to me - and it creates jobs into the bargain. I'd call that a WIN:WIN.
But sure what do I know? (I hear you jeer....) I know we've lost two great servants to the sport - and I think that could be avoided. End of. (Other than that, I know nothing - I admit it!)
2 comments:
nsThere's several issues with paying players. For a start, the county board is currently ~€200k in the red in Waterford. Secondly, there's the fact that you'd rapidly create a two tier G.A.A. - if Kilkenny, or Tipperary were paying players, there's no way a non-professional team could ever make their way up to challenge them. And of course, Camogie, and under 21s end up with similar training schedules to senior hurlers - and there'll never be the money to pay them as well. That's on top of the hundreds of other volunteers required to make the G.A.A. possible, doing everything for working as ushers at matches, to doing to books for clubs. They all put in plenty of work, generally with little or no recognition. To decide to pay only the players would be something of a slap in their collective faces. And on top of that, there is a qualitative difference between the work that we do that's paid, and that we do as volunteers. Humans think differently about these things, and you'll often find people willing to do far more for free than they would for any amount you'd be able to pay them. Retaining that spirit of volunteerism - the idea that the G.A.A. is primarily a part of the community is something that's important. John Mullane is part of his local club's community, in a way that David Beckham never could have been in Manchester, and I'd be very wary about risking that link.
Thanks your suggestion.
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