“I’d honestly like it to be reversed if possible”
Waterford senior football manager Paul Shankey is looking for a reversal of the decision to stop pre-season matches. Photo: INPHO.
Waterford football manager Paul Shankey is calling on the GAA to bring back pre-season competitions for 2025 to help teams in the lower divisions.
Central Council voted for a one-year suspension recently. The Meath man believes that the McGrath Cup provides vital preparation for Division 4 and expressed surprise at the decision. “It came out of left field. I don’t understand that one. For counties like ourselves, it’s great to get competitive matches in preparation for the league. I think that was the feedback from counties in the lower divisions. All these counties will be arranging challenge matches. Last year, it was great to see as many players as possible against Clare and Cork. It was brilliant.
"Now, we’ll have organised challenge matches. I’m not quite sure what’s the point of it. There was some nice revenue for McKenna Cup matches and FBD matches. Why are we turning this down when these teams will be going ahead and organising challenge matches? That’s a strange one. I don’t see the value in it, I don’t see the point in it. I’d honestly like it to be reversed if possible.”
Getting players up to speed in the New Year will prove difficult. “We’re not a magnet for challenge games off top inter county teams,” he explains. “These were games pencilled into the calendar so it was great for us because you need two competitive matches. Next year, it makes less sense because you would have had two matches to practice the new rules. Don’t get the logic of that one.”
Shankey is in favour of the stop clock and hooter proposed by the Football Review Committee. “The ladies football are way ahead of the game on that one. That would be a great idea.”
Meanwhile, Ken McGrath will continue as Waterford Under 20 hurling boss for 2025. The Déise lost all four Munster championship games during his first year in charge. Dan Shanahan won’t be part of his backroom team as the Lismore legend links up with Peter Queally’s senior set-up next season.
The minor hurling and football roles as well as the Under 20 football post will be filled this week. James O’Connor wishes to stay on as minor hurling bainsteoir. “I would love another crack at it again next year,” he said after their championship exit to Galway back in May. “One final go at it and hopefully bring a bit of silverware to the county.”
