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Marc Jordan would welcome McKenna Cup return, but thinks pre-season competition could be improved
The GAA’s pre-season competitions could be given a reprieve when Central Council meets on Saturday and Antrim’s Marc Jordan said he would welcome the return of the Dr McKenna Cup.
In early September, all pre-season competitions were ‘paused’ for 2025 with both the Ulster and Connacht GAA expressing their disappointment at the discussion in recent weeks.
A Cavan motion to reinstate the competitions will be heard on Saturday with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) voicing their concern about any potential u-turn.
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However, Jordan insisted that teams will be playing challenge games in January to prepare for the Allianz League and the Lámh Dhearg clubman said he’d rather play a competitive game in front of spectators rather than a game behind closed doors.
“I was chatting to Paddy McBride about this recently actually - teams are going to be playing three or four challenge games in January,” said Jordan.
“Personally, I would rather be playing in front of a half decent crowd rather than playing behind closed doors.
“I would be in favour of bringing it back. You would rather be playing in front of a crowd with a bit of an atmosphere rather than behind closed doors.”
He added: “One point that Paddy made was that more fellas might get a run out during challenge games so maybe that’s one thing they could tweak.
“If you could do away with substitute restrictions in the McKenna Cup or even play four quarters, I think that would solve a couple of problems.
“You are going to be playing games in January anyway, I don’t think it makes much of a difference.
“I’d say there is a bit of a split - some players don’t fancy it and could take it or leave it.
“I think with these new rules there needs to be something.”
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