GAA agree another important step in freeing up more calendar space for club players

The Connacht SFC will still take two-and-a-half months to play six games, but this is a start.

Club players have been stewing in their own frustration ever since Congress earlier this month failed to implement any real reforms to the GAA calendar. The motions calling for the abolition of qualifier replays and the All-Ireland finals to be brought forward by a fortnight each were both rejected, while the GAA's own football championship reforms never even made it to the floor. However it looks like club players may have earned another two-week gap for themselves in the calendar. Central Council's decision at the weekend to abolish Allianz Football League semi-finals, coupled with the introduction of more dual code weekends of league action should see the secondary tournaments wrap up in early April - as opposed to the middle of the month. The Irish Independent are reporting that the 2017 League finals could be played in the first weekend of April. With the U20 football Championship shifting to the summer that will leave the entire month of April free for club matches. The ground might even be hard by then. The early round of the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups will still be held in April, but it is a small step in the right direction for game-hungry club players.