THE organisation which runs ladies gaelic football is facing a possible split over plans to scrap inter-county championships at youth level and replace them with blitzes.
Coaches in some counties have already talked openly of forming a breakaway organisation that would split the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) down the middle.
Under the shock new proposals by the LGFA to be introduced in just three months’ time, the U14 and U16 provincial Championships are to be scrapped as well as the U15 Ulster Development League.
Instead, players would take part in just two national blitz days and counties then graded on the basis of their performance. Under the new system, every county would have an All-Ireland quarter-final at some grade in the blitz format.
The last Minor Championship would also be played in 2019 to be replaced from 2020 by the blitzes, to be run under the ‘festival of football’ banner at U17 level, while a new U20 inter county competition would begin in 2020.
The LGFA says the aim of the blitzes will be to increase participation in ladies football across the country.
But wiping out underage structures to replace inter-county football with blitzes normally associated with U6, U8 and U10 girls football is facing a huge backlash.
At a meeting of Munster counties earlier this week, concerns were voiced about counties losing players to other sports due to the proposals, with a high volume of delegates critical of the new format requiring overnight stays from counties that would cost upwards on €5,000 per trip.
Last week, all nine Ulster counties opposed the plans when they were presented to a frosty ‘workshop’ at Kelly’s Inn in Co Tyrone.
Plans were unveiled to the Ulster meeting by Lyn Savage, the LGFA games development manager.
Savage was joined in supporting the proposals by former Dublin goalkeeper Cliodhna O’Connor and academic Dr Aine McNamara.
“Delegates questioned their proposals and while it was stressed these are only proposals to be taken back to national council and fixtures in November, most delegates from the nine Ulster counties felt it was a cosmetic presentation as they feel it’s a done deal,” said one delegate.
“Delegates pointed out that central council have been having this discussion for months but this was not relayed back to counties. They turn up in the middle of October with these proposals to be signed off next month.
“This could lead to a split in the LGFA or an overthrow of those in charge. We are hearing that Connacht and Munster also oppose the proposals.
“A lot of coaches are planning to walk away.”
Another delegate said: “Grass roots, players and coaches had no input at all on the proposals and the absence of any member from Ulster on the panel who worked on these proposals was also highlighted.
“This is football being decided by boardrooms and with no input from players or coaches on the ground. They haven’t even bothered to speak to senior players who came through the underage system.
“Under the new system there is no consideration for child welfare for these blitzes. Girls from west Cork, Antrim, Kerry and Donegal will have to be leaving home at 3am to travel to these games. It’s absolute madness.”
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