Standard of fare in intermediate semi-finals a major worry

One of the worrying aspects leaving Kenny Park in Athenry last Sunday following the Galway intermediate hurling semi-final double-header was the extremely disappointing standard of both contests. Indeed, if this was the best this grade can offer, it gives rise to deeper concerns in Galway hurling.

The easy thing would be put it down to the occasion or what was at stake for all four clubs – by the way, this is not a criticism of the four semi-finalists themselves – but, perhaps, it is time to address one of the skeletons in the closet. So, let’s call it as it is.

It’s not a coincidence that no Galway team has ever won the All-Ireland intermediate club title and it’s high time for the County Committee or Hurling Committee or whoever the book has been passed to, to step up to the mark and address a fundamental flaw in the structure. That is the imbalance of the number of teams competing in the senior, intermediate and junior ‘A’ grades.

Currently, there are 22 hurling teams contesting the senior championship with just 14 contesting the intermediate grade and 21 outfits fighting it out for the junior A’ title. The fact of the matter is the intermediate grade is suffering and it is only time before it has a negative impact on the senior and junior ‘A’ competitions as well. If it has not already.