Back in 2016 a motion was narrowly passed at the GAA annual congress after being brought forth by GAA Director-General Páraic Duffy, which would bring the age grade of minor level from U18 to U17.
Motion 4 :
Proposes that the minor grade, at inter-county level only, become U17 and no longer U18. It proposes that all minor players at inter-county level be aged between 15 and 17 and at club level, between 14 and 18. To be effective from January 1, 2018.
The move had many critics and as previously mentioned had only narrowly passed by a 68.2% majority. From a Kilkenny perspective, the Central Council delegate Paul Kinsella, argued that change would place more strength and conditioning demands on young players.
Here to stay?
The change looks set to stay after a 2020 report was carried out by The GAA’s Fixtures Calendar Review Task Force last November. It was outlined in the findings that the decision to switch ages has directly and positively impacted the problem of fixture congestion. With the task force strongly advising that this policy should remain place. The report stated:
“The greatest strides the association has made in a fixtures context in the last number of years have been due to moving the minor grade to U17 [at inter-county level] and not allowing U17s play in adult competitions”.
Mulrooney has his say
Speaking with KCLR Scoreline after Kilkennys record 59th Leinster victory over Wexford, minor manager Richie Mulrooney had his say
“I suppose I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing it, ten years ago and now aswell. I always felt minor should have stayed at under 18. You go into the dressing room this evening, before the match, last Wednesday before we played Offaly, there was some very nervous young boys in there. They are only 16, 17 and some are still 15.”
“Some fellas can cope with that no problem and others find it very difficult and that is not a surprise”
“I thought the 2020 group that obviously did not get to play until 2021, there was a massive difference in the physique of that team, and the mentality and the way that team was able to cope with everything that was thrown at them by Offaly and Galway in that final, simply because the extra year of maturity”
Would love to hear your thoughts, comment on social media or tune into Scoreline on KCLR every weekend from 2-6 and have your say.
