Clare's Brian O'Connell has called for the National Leagues to be scrapped with just one competition for inter-county teams run on a Champions League format.
The Clare captain was responding to the prospect of life in Division 2 next season for the Banner County. "The league should be scrapped," O'Connell tol the Irish Independent. "It is unfair on players to be training for so long and then getting so few top-quality games. In terms of keeping the game in the limelight and in the public eye, the GAA have a lot to live up to in terms of promoting the game", said the Wolfe Tones Na Sionna man.
"If we have more high profile games played in a league structure and there are more young people going to games (it will be better). The GAA has got to ask, do people want to go watching league games in the middle of February when it is p***ing rain, and fellows are playing in the middle of muck?"
O'Connell reasons that more games played in a shorter period of time would serve hurling better because the clubs would have a better structure, leading to an improvement in the inter-county scene which would also benefit from greater interest. "The GAA should shorten the hurling season and play a match maybe every two weeks. Give the club games more priority as well. If you have high standards in your clubs and your clubs know when they're playing and have a good club structure, then you're going to develop better inter-county hurlers and a better inter-county championship as well."
Clare's Brian O'Connell has called for the National Leagues to be scrapped with just one competition for inter-county teams run on a Champions League format.
The Clare captain was responding to the prospect of life in Division 2 next season for the Banner County. "The league should be scrapped," O'Connell tol the Irish Independent. "It is unfair on players to be training for so long and then getting so few top-quality games. In terms of keeping the game in the limelight and in the public eye, the GAA have a lot to live up to in terms of promoting the game", said the Wolfe Tones Na Sionna man.
"If we have more high profile games played in a league structure and there are more young people going to games (it will be better). The GAA has got to ask, do people want to go watching league games in the middle of February when it is p***ing rain, and fellows are playing in the middle of muck?"
O'Connell reasons that more games played in a shorter period of time would serve hurling better because the clubs would have a better structure, leading to an improvement in the inter-county scene which would also benefit from greater interest. "The GAA should shorten the hurling season and play a match maybe every two weeks. Give the club games more priority as well. If you have high standards in your clubs and your clubs know when they're playing and have a good club structure, then you're going to develop better inter-county hurlers and a better inter-county championship as well."
39 Clare schools are to benefit from the 2009 Summer Works Scheme.
The Scheme, which returns this year after a 12-month deferral period, covers school projects such as electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works. The Summer Works Scheme had been deferred for a year to allow the Department’s Planning and Building Unit to focus on larger-scale building projects.
Welcoming the fund, Minister of State Tony Killeen said, ‘I am delighted to announce that the Summer Works Scheme returns this year benefiting 29 primary schools and 10 post-primary schools across County Clare. The investment will also create much-needed jobs in the local construction sector. I now urge schools to ensure that they get best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market.’
‘The Planning and Building Unit will shortly contact all 39 Clare schools approved for grant aid under this year's Summer Works Scheme with further details and instructions on how to proceed. Later this year, the Department of Education and Science will invite applications for the 2010 Summer Works Scheme’, added Minister Killeen.
Primary Schools List:
Realt Na Mara Kilkee, Scoil Naisiunta Colm Cille Ennistymon, Mercy Convent Killaloe, Ruan NS, Miltown Malbay B NS, Scoil Mhuire Corofin NS, Kilmaley NS, St. Mary’s NS Lahinch, Flagmount NS, Kilnamona NS, Mullagh NS (External Environment); Rineen N S Miltown Malbay, Tullycrine NS, Inagh NS, Tubber NS, Mullagh NS, St. Marys NS Lahinch, SN Na Maighdine Muire Broadford, Furglan NS, Ballybrohan NS Ogonnelloe (Windows); Quilty NS, Ballycar NS Newmarket-On-Fergus, Rineen N S Miltown Malbay, Sixmilebridge NS, Kilnaboy NS (Toilets); Clondrinagh NS, Scoil Na Maighdine Mhuire Newmarket-On-Fergus (Access For All); S N Droiman Dudhaire Caher, Clondrinagh NS, Cree NS (Roofs); Flagmount NS, Tubber NS, Cahermurphy NS Kilmihil (Electrical); and Quilty NS, Mercy Convent Killaloe (Mechanical).
Post-Primary Schools List:
St Anne’s Community College Killaloe (Structural Improvements); Ennis Community College; Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna, Coláiste Mhuire Ennis, St Joseph's Community College Kilkee (Mechanical); Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon (Access For All); Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna, St. Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla, St Flannan's College Ennis, Ennistymon Vocational School (Windows); and Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna, Scariff Community College (External Environment).
Clare's Brian O'Connell has called for the National Leagues to be scrapped with just one competition for inter-county teams run on a Champions League format.
