Reminiscing can be a dangerous path in any walk of life. But there’s no doubt that the 1990s were probably just too good to be true.
The ’00s look set to be the least competitive decade in 100 years of GAA. And as the Cork shambles continues to dominate the world of hurling, they may as well just leave the black and amber ribbons around Liam Mac.
While there have been only three measly All-Ireland champions in hurling, football hasn’t been much better. The wands wagged in ’02 and ‘03 as - briefly - we were blissfully reminded of the previous decade by the heroics of Tyrone and Armagh.
However, since then, the business-end of the season has become as predictable as our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. There’ll certainly be a parade, celebratory alcohol will be consumed, but the stars and the predominant colours of the festival will pretty much always be the same.
And unless the Dubs, Galway or Cork manage a miracle in 2009, this decade looks set to end with Big Sam going back to the same decorations in the same clubhouses and schools .
The previous decade saw unprecedented unpredictability with 14 different champions across the two dominant codes. The beauty of the Banner and the misery of the Treatymen made grown men cry, all while The Outhere Brothers were boomed collectively from the Hill.
The difference in the 1990s was that the fairytales tended to have happy endings. Nowadays, there’s a back-door to resuscitate the proverbial wicked step-mother.
This decade’s sides from Waterford and Armagh would both probably have been held in much higher esteem had they competed under the old championship format. While players still place huge value on provincial honours, at the same time they have clearly lost some significance.
As the qualifiers have given the wider GAA community an extended championship chapter and the organisation a greatly enhanced revenue - the reality is - that ultimately they will continue to assist the strongest candidates’ quest for success.
As player burnout is becoming more-and-more of an issue, and player power even more so, maybe a temporary return to the old knockout system would not be the worst idea.
We must remember that the GPA has been the big supporter of the qualifier system, yet at the same time they have highlighted the dangers of player over-extension.
Similarly, in these recessionary times, championship ticket prices are becoming increasingly untenable for your average punter. A greater emphasis could be put on the leagues and God forbid club fixtures might actually get finished in time.
Clubs find their best player unavailable all too often which undermines the basic values of the GAA as a whole.
Parish pride is irreplaceable. HQ on the day of our patron saint is evidence enough for this.
Before accusations are made - these opinions aren’t founded on jealousy or bitterness towards elite counties or players - it’s just becoming more and more difficult to see the same winners every other year while clubs are left at a loss.
If you have any other suggestions on how we could make the business-end of the season more competitive, feel free to dispose of your respective two cents.
Alan Waldron is a Dublin-based freelance jourmalist. More of his writings are available online at http://gaaworld.blogs.ie/