Split season is taking a toll on players bodies

Offaly will play their fifth game of league football this weekend in Tyrone minus 11 of their panel who are sidelined through injury.

The likes of Paddy Dunican, Cathal Flynn, Dylan Hyland, John Furlong and Kyle Higgins have all been recovering from injury and their absence has contributed to the Faithful County propping up Division 2 with no points from their games as of yet.

Last weekend Offaly were taken apart by Derry and this weekend they face another trip up north, this time to Healy Park, where Tyrone are themselves in need of a win.

Recently Offaly's Central Council delegate and former chairman Michael Duignan drew attention to the injury list that the county is experiencing – in both codes.

Duignan pointed out that the split season is good for clubs but has really increased the load for county players, with no break as they go straight from county into club action.

As for Cormac Egan, Offaly’s hard running and skilful defender, he says the current system puts pressure on those players who have prolonged runs with their clubs.

This weekend will see Congress vote on whether to extend the intercounty season by two weeks. The motion looks to be under pressure with plenty of opposition to it expected to be voiced.

"The current system probably does punish lads who go well with their clubs," he says.

"Especially in counties like ours where you are expected to get straight back in with your county.

"I think we got 10 days off after our club run finished with Tullamore and in general that is not long enough.

"Lads are not getting that bit of freshness and a bit of a longer break is required for players who are making that transition between club and county.

"I know that work in this area is ongoing with people looking at set dates for return to play for intercounty players and I suppose it’s about those rules being upheld.

"Lads need to be fresh when they come back."

Egan, a fine hurler also, who plays both codes with his club, feels that inter-county All-Ireland finals should be in August and the All-Ireland under-20 football championship winner in 2021 also states that making cuts to round-robin games could help ease the hectic flow of games.

In terms of Gaelic football itself, he believes it is a different game to watch and play since the new rules have bedded in.

"It’s so enjoyable when you play a high intensity game and it's up and down," he said at the launch of the Dalata Hotel Group under-20 football championship.

"You do make mistakes, but you get to make up for it so quickly.

"Under the old rules you mightn’t get the chance to redeem yourself.

"Against Derry we probably took too many chances so there is a middle ground there. Players want to try things on the field – if you play completely within yourself there is no enjoyment in the game.

"A year on and I’d be even more positive than I was when the rules first came in."

Egan also says that despite Offaly not yet gaining a league win, and being devoid of so many players, they are building good depth as the year unfolds.

"Lads are being exposed to a good, high level of football and we just have to focus on the positives.

"A decent result at the weekend and the narrative changes completely. Things not going amazing at the moment but we have to find a solution because Division 2 is cut throat and every team there is quality."

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