With just 30 days to go to the start of the National Football League on November 1st the programme of matches for the second most important competition in the game is still not clear.
There has been much speculation about the new structures of the four-division National Football League and it is thought that several counties are unhappy with the situation which faces them.
It appears that a decision has been made, although not confirmed, that the league will consist of four divisions - 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B - with participants being placed in the different divisions on the basis of results achieved in last term's league.
The 32 counties and London have been informed of the plans for the new league structure but, as far as could be ascertained yesterday, nothing definite is in place other than the fact that only three matches will be played before Christmas - on November 1st, 15th and 29th. There seem to be many anomalies in the possible league structure (see table). Division 1A would contain strong counties such as All-Ireland champions Galway, Cork, Donegal, Dublin and Tyrone, while Division 2A would see Munster champions Kerry meeting Kilkenny, London, Limerick, Westmeath and Antrim. There has been some disappointment in other counties. Sligo, for example, managed to beat Kerry and Dublin and draw with Offaly last year, but all three are rated above them in the proposed new structure. There have also been complaints about geographical problems such as Kerry travelling to Antrim, Fermanagh meeting Wexford, Waterford meeting Sligo and Donegal meeting Dublin. The National Football League sponsors, Church and General Insurance, could not confirm or deny any of the above information yesterday nor could Croke Park. It appears, however, that details may be released today.
Objections from counties to the proposed structure may fall on deaf ears and, it can be argued, they have only themselves to blame if they think they have been underestimated in the proposed structure.
Many of the so-called stronger counties tend to downgrade the National League and many prominent players take a "rest" during the National League. Counties knew that the new structure would be based on league results, but some who now complain could have made a stronger effort to boost their results.
Meanwhile All-Ireland champions Galway, who are still celebrating their victory in Croke Park last Sunday, are already facing their first title challenge with some glee. Their first championship match next year will be played, not anywhere near the fields of Athenry, but in London. They can be assured of a huge welcome in Ruislip. As team managers become more and more powerful in GAA circles some are inclined to retreat into themselves, but Gay Sheerin, a courageous goalkeeper for Roscommon in the 1970s and 1980s, has set himself up for another major challenge when he faces the Roscommon supporters' club in Dublin next Tuesday night when he will defend his policies, tactics and players at a meeting in the Mayes Tavern in Dorset Street. All are welcome.
