GAA: Westmeath votes for return to U18 grade

Westmeath are in favour of a return to the U18 grade, following a vote at the County Committee Meeting in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Tuesday evening.

Counties were given three options to consider and after a detailed presentation from Head of Operations, Patrick Doherty, and a good discussion among club delegates, Westmeath gave a new U18 grade (Option 3) their firm approval. Crucially, the new U18 grade, should it come to pass at next year’s GAA Congress, will be decoupled from adult competition – in other words, U18 players will not be allowed play adult football or hurling in 2024.

It was pointed out by Chairman, Frank Mescall that there is considerable medical evidence to show that players were being overloaded under the old traditional system, with minors playing at their own grade and then at adult level. Despite this, Raharney’s Declan Weir said it was a mistake to have moved from the traditional age grades. “It was the worst decision the GAA ever made,” he declared. He said underage delegates voted against it when it came up at a Coiste na nÓg meeting some years ago.

However, Mr Mescall reminded the Raharney delegate that Westmeath County Committee had voted in favour of the current regime (U13, U15 and U17), which is in keeping with GAA policy.

Clonkill’s Tommy Keegan wondered if a separate U18 competition could be organised in the pre-season if the current regime continues. It was felt this would be impossible for fixture planners. Damien Keogh of Turin pointed to the difficulty that will arise if Westmeath and neighbouring counties are not operating at the same age grades.

Alan Leech, Coiste na nÓg Chairman, supported the move to U18, with decoupling, pointing out that an 18-year-old will miss only one year at adult level. The real decision is for the 18-year-old who not strong enough to play at adult level: he would benefit from another year with his peers, Mr Leech opined.

Padraig Joyce (Garrycastle) was against the changes to the traditional system of U12, U14, U16 and U18, pointing out that he is a big traditionalist. He felt medical evidence, impact on fixtures and player overload are nothing more than statistics and not genuine reasons to change what had worked well for so long.

“Tradition is important; we will create massive inconsistency if we continue as is,” he said, pointing out that players at U13 level also must be considered as there’s a big age gap for players entering competition at that level. Primary school players are starting out against secondary school players if they are born the wrong side of December, he noted.

Frank Mescall felt the medical evidence couldn’t be discounted, though, pointing to the he workload on minor players who, he said, were serving too many masters.

Eugene Coyle (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge) pointed to decoupling as being the real game changer.

Castledaly’s Eugene Costello spoke against decoupling, pointing out that if a club has just 13 players, and two 18-year-olds in the dressing room for an adult game, they won’t be able to field and 13 players will be without a game in that scenario. It was pointed out that this will be just for one year and clubs should work at persuading older players to hold off on retirement to ensure they can field.

Tang’s Laura Donoghue had concerns about clubs struggling for players. Frank Mescall felt new independent teams (amalgamations) may have to be considered in this case.

Barry Kelly of Mullingar Shamrocks was concerned players born in 2005 will miss out on U18 in 2024. He wondered if the new U18 competition (if introduced) could be brought forward to next year? Westmeath will raise this with Central Council. It was felt that Congress may well give counties permission to run U18 grades next year should the vote be successful.

However, the disadvantage is that Westmeath may well have their competitions planned before Congress and it could mean extra work for Coiste na nÓg to rearrange things.

The discussion also touched on elite players in both second level school and at third level (college). Frank Mescall felt that clubs are catering for the vast majority of GAA players.

There were two other options considered, but Westmeath were strongly in favour of the U18 grade (Option 3), which includes decoupling. Option 1 is the status quo, while Option 2 is giving counties permission to run U12, 14, 16 and 18 grades (with decoupling). Should Option 2 prevail, counties will introduce a by-law.

Frank Mescall explained decoupling is a red-letter issue for the Westmeath Management Committee. Westmeath also voted to support an U18 grade at inter-county level (with decoupling).