Underage competitions were never going to be ditched – PRO

DESPITE the logistics of shoehorning every club competition into the latter half of the year, the Tyrone County Board insist that youth players were never going to be overlooked.

As part of their revised 2020 fixtures programme released last week the  County Management Committee have also mapped out an amended schedule for the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 League and Championships.

The amended Regulations now sees all youth league grades comprised of two groups of six teams, ensuring a minimum of five matches each.

The top two teams in a group will qualify for the League Semi-finals, while the Championship will be an open draw.

Tyrone PRO Eugene McConnell stated that there was a general consensus that some form of competition had to provided for underage players within the ‘window’ which opens across the GAA nationally from July 31st.

“We are compelled to provide our youth with matches and that is what we are trying to do.

“Clearly because of the circumstances this year the volume of matches will be limited compared to normal seasons but there was an opening to provide them with some meaningful competition.”

The Tyrone PRO acknowledged that the reduced timeframe will create issues- in terms of fixture clashes, player demand etc- but added that everyone would appreciate the backdrop that the County Board faced this year in light of Covid-19.

“It will be squeezed in along with the adult competitions. It’s going to be a busy period, seven nights of the week no doubt but it’s a challenge we are all excited about.”

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