How the new GAA rules on training have kinda screwed Dublin

With all the trophies dished out it is time for the first of what we expect is many ‘collective training controversy’ GAA stories.

After a few years of arguments, the GAA finally sorted out the winter training ban at Congress this year. Or so we thought. Irish Times writer Ian O’Riordan has spotted a rather big flaw in the rules and he explains the implications in today’s paper.

Under the new rules agreed this year, teams that were out of the Champo in June are now allowed to resume training as a group on November 15^th. For July exiters it is December 1, August is December 8 and September teams can return on December 29.

But this system based on dates kinda screws over teams who fell foul of the fixture planners. As O’Riordan points out Derry, Louth, Offaly, Carlow, Waterford and London all exited the Qualifiers on June 30, meaning they can resume work in a month's time. Armagh and Fermanagh, who also left the stage in the same round, did so a day later, on Sunday July 1, meaning they have to wait an extra two weeks.

But the biggest victim of this problem is Dublin. Their September semi-final defeat means they are out of action until December 29. Cork, who also fell at the semi stage, are back three weeks before them by dint of losing their game with Donegal in August.

Does three weeks matter? We bet new Dubs boss Jim Gavin would appreciate the extra time at the very least. Just a small tweak based on the round exited will solve this so we hope the lads at HQ see sense and sort this.