What is the National Football League? A competition designed to allow managers appease supporters by giving game time to fringe players before dropping them when the championship comes around in favour of last summer's first-team.
Eh, hasn't the 2008 NFL season already started?Not for Cork it hasn't. The rebels from the Rebel county are between rebellions at the moment, and so are lining out for the first time this season next Sunday - against Roscommon. Well, as far as we know they are - four days is a long time in Cork.
So what should we do?Avoid provoking any Cork people. In fact, best to avoid eye contact altogether. Even the slightest thing could start it all again. Apparently, even New Holland Excavators have been banned from the Páirc Uí Chaoimh renovations - just in case the players get the wrong idea.
And, let's face it, the Cork County Board will not want another list of demands from the players as all they have left to give is the board they sit around.
But that doesn't apply to the opposition teams obviously?You would think so - though, apparently, the Cork players have sent a thank you note to the Cavan footballers for showing their solidarity with the strike by also not playing football during January and February.
Amazingly, despite being on strike since December, and forfeiting the points from their first league games, Cork are actually not propping up the Division Two table. Believe it or not, Cavan are below them.
While both have no points from their first two games, Cavan's scoring difference is minus seven, so they would have been better off in the table had they been on strike as well.
So the big game at the weekend is?Roscommon v Cork. Have you not been listening? It's not Kerry versus Derry, Galway versus Tyrone, or - and this will come as a shock to fans from the capital - whoever is playing Dublin (Cavan in case you're interested).
With four points already lost, Cork are facing an uphill challenge just to stay in Division Two - though nothing should be ruled out. With five matches to play, they could still make the Division Two final of course - it should not be forgotten that the last time the GAA players opted for strike action in Cork - in 2002 when the hurlers downed hurleys - the county went on to claim the Liam MacCarthy Cup that September.
If something like that happens again, it'll be standard practice for intercounty players to strike at Christmas.
Thing to say?It's great to see Kilkenny have a football team, especially for the other teams in Division Four.
Thing not to say?County Boards should be allowed appoint intercounty selectors.
- DAMIAN CULLEN
