Pa Ranahan: It’s better to be looking at them than looking for them

Niamh and myself went travelling in 2008. One of the best experiences was a trip to Fraser Island, a fairly remote spot off the east coast of Australia.

Basically you head off in a 4×4 jeep with a group of strangers for three days taking in the sights, setting up camp where you can each night and living off the supplies you brought with you.

There were two characters from Offaly in our group and when they were packing, I wondered about the need for so many “refreshments”. The answer was quick and to the point. “I’d rather be looking at them than looking for them!”

As the weather improves, pitches grow firmer and evenings longer, April heralds the start of the club season in the GAA calendar. It’s a great time of year with players itching for games.

The Limerick minor club football championships starts this week, while the intermediate and senior began last week. You could tell by the extra bodies at training!

Outside of helping to increase participation numbers – which is a huge challenge across the board for the GAA – regular games are so important in allowing players develop their skills and improve their decision making. Training is important absolutely, but nothing beats games for that.

As an “under 17”, I began playing adult football with Ballysteen 20 years ago this month. The main team was junior B, and I was also playing minor and under 21 with the club, as well as hurling and soccer with Askeaton.

I definitely didn’t have to “look too hard” for games, and it wasn’t uncommon to be whisked from the end of one to the start of another. But I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. “Player burn out” wasn’t in the public domain at the time and even if it had been, I would have still wanted to play those games.

Fast forward to present day and the opposite applies. The average under 17 footballer in Limerick in 2019 is only guaranteed ONE competitive club football game from the start of January to the end of June. A hugely important year as regards developing as a football player, the majority of it is spent without being given that opportunity.

Now in all likelihood he will be playing other games – from hurling to soccer to rugby – which is something I would support fully. But the option should still be available for more than just one game of football during spring and the majority of summer, the very time of year when the playing environment is at its most enjoyable.

And it’s not just confined to under 17s. While there has been a plentiful supply of adult football in the last four weeks, after this weekend’s games are complete there won’t be another competitive game for two months.  

So can anything be done to ensure we are looking at games instead of looking for them? Well, notwithstanding the availability of referees and pitches, there are quite a few ways of ensuring meaningful games, for under 17s in particular.

Playing 9/10/11-a-side games, excluding those on county panels or those doing the Leaving Cert if needs be. Having playing rules that encourage more kick passing to develop skills in that area.

Regional competitions to reduce travel for those teams involved ie “John Quane Cup” in the south; “Donal Fitzgibbon Cup” in the east. A similar tournament was initiated in Wexford last year by their Football GDA Anthony Masterson and was a great success.

I am fully aware that the multi-sport nature of most players in “Sporting Limerick” brings with it its own challenges when fitting games in the calendar. But there is certainly scope for improvement. Players tire of over-training, but watch their eyes light up, even in training, when the word “game” is mentioned! And that applies to any and all age groups.

It’s up to clubs and boards especially to think outside the box on this. Stop waiting for someone else to come up with these solutions and start putting forward some of your own. A rising tide lifts all boats, but everyone needs to play their part.