Another Sunday, another tale of club players being abused

Once more the club players of Ireland provided a day of fabulous entertainment.

From the great entertainers of Corofin racking up yet another Galway football title, to the footballers of Padraig Pearses and St Brigid's scrapping like dogs in Roscommon, or Patrickswell opening a can of whoop ass on Ballybrown in Limerick, to St Rynagh's bridging a 23-year gap in Offaly. County finals are special and this is a special time of the year, when the parish comes out in force to celebrate and support their teams. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/788462186192658432 However, as discussed on last week's GAA Hour, club players are desperate for a greater say in how the games are run. Former Monaghan selector Declan Brennan is in the process of forming a club players association, so that the voice of the 99.5% can be heard. What is the need, you wonder? We have thousands turning out to watch these matches all over the country. The club players are feted as county championships come to their conclusions. Perhaps. But how many were in Tuam on Sunday afternoon to see Roscommon intermediate football champions Kilmore take on Monivea-Abbey in a Connacht quarter-final? Kilmore were beaten 1-16 to 0-9 by the Galway side, which is unsurprising seeing as Kilmore had required 20 minutes of extra-time to win the county title less than 24 hours earlier. If this sounds familiar it is because the very same scenario faced Donegal IFC winners Beart last weekend. It didn't end well for them either, as they were soundly beaten by Bredagh of Down. If this sounds familiar it is because it happens EVERY year. Being asked to play two of the most important matches of the year in the space of 24 hours is just wrong. Some county champions struggle when they have six days to celebrate and prepare. https://twitter.com/taghmoncamross/status/789101552137035776 But 24 hours is ridiculous, and as the Galway Footballers Homepage on Facebook pointed out, there was no good reason for Kilmore to be rushed into action. Monivea-Abbey will not play their semi-final until November 6.     It is hard to argue with their sentiment. Beart and Kilmore had little chance to make their mark in their respective provinces and losing so soon after the biggest win of their year must impact on their glory. The sooner Brennan's association is up and the running the better. The sooner club players are afforded a proper window to complete their championships the better. Cavan SFC final replay Ramor United 0-10 Castlerahan 0-8 Clare SFC final replay Kilmurry-Ibrickane 2-13 Cratloe 0-6 Galway SFC final Corofin 0-16  Salthill-Knocknacarra 0-11 London SFC final St Kiernans 0-12 Tir Chonaill Gaels 0-5 Roscommon SFC final St Brigid's 2-14 Padraig Pearses 2-7 Ulster club SHC final Slaughtneil 2-14 Loughgiel 1-13 Laois SHC final replay Borris-Kilcotton 1-18 Rathdowney-Errill 2-10 Leitrim SHC final Cluainin Iomaint 0-14 Carrick 1-6 Limerick SHC final Patrickswell 1-26 Ballybrown 1-7 Mayo SHC final Ballyhaunis 1-15 Tooreen 2-12 Meath SHC final Kiltale 0-17 Killyon 1-13 Offaly SHC final St Rynagh's 2-16 Birr 1-15 Waterford SHC final Ballygunner 4-20 Passage 1-12 Westmeath SHC final Raharney 2-18 Clonkill 1-12 Wicklow SHC final replay Bray Emmets 1-17 Carnew Emmets 1-6