Youngster named on Derry team for McKenna Cup wasn’t allowed to play because of GAA rule

Just when you think we're getting places.

On Tuesday, youngster Callum Brown was named on the Derry team to start in their McKenna Cup opening round game against Ulster University. https://twitter.com/CahairOKane1/status/948637993828569088 On Wednesday, just hours before the game, the big full forward found out he wasn't allowed to play because he was too young. The same player is also too old to play minor with his county this year. The case was spotted by Cahair O'Kane, after Brown was replaced on the Derry team by Niall Toner. https://twitter.com/CahairOKane1/status/948639685701787648 https://twitter.com/CahairOKane1/status/948688908044431367 That is because of the following GAA rules. The Limavady Wolfhounds club man, who also plays football with Linfield, turns 18 in August of this year. Brown is deemed ineligible for senior inter-county football because he had not celebrated his 18th birthday prior to the beginning of the Championship year. If he was 18 in January, he'd be able to play this season. He should, however, be okay to play under-20s after motion 50 was passed at Congress in February.

This motion is proposing a change to the U-21 grade eligibility in inter-county hurling and the U-20 grade in inter-county football. If passed, it would allow those over 17 years of age and under 21 to play U-21 inter-county hurling, and those over 17 years of age and under 20 to play U-20 inter-county football.

But he's too old for minor and too young for senior. Brown came on for the Derry minors in their All-Ireland final loss to a David Clifford inspired Kerry last year. His athleticism and bravery allowed him to make a huge impact on the game, as he caught high ball after high ball in the dying stages. Obviosuly, the youngster would have been looking forward to making his inter-county senior debut for Derry, and to find out he couldn't play, and might not be able to represent his county at all this year, is some sucker-punch. Brown won't be the only player affected. A host of players not yet 18 around the country will be getting screwed over by this rule, and it doesn't really make much sense. A host of GAA players born in the year 2000, won't be allowed to represent their counties at all this year, it seems.