The GPA’s Tom Parsons has stated the GAA “are as well to bury the amateur status” if players are not given a proper off-season, with three of the four provincial councils seemingly giving pre-season competitions the green light to return next season.
Chief executive Parsons added his organisation is “deeply worried” should the intercounty season go beyond seven months, with the GAA already discussing pushing the All-Ireland finals into August:
“If they run them, teams will need to be back earlier. It runs contrary to the Amateur Status Committee, the costs of the intercounty game, and player welfare.”
The Dr McKenna Cup looks set for a return to the Ulster GAA calendar next season after county delegates voted unanimously for its return.
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The pre-season competitions were scrapped last season, including hurling’s Conor McGurk in Ulster, as nationwide concerns grew about the impact of the length of the intercounty season.
However, those two now look set for a swift return, with Ulster GAA reporting losses could total £300,000 in 2025.
President of Ulster GAA Michael Geoghegan previously stated there are also sentimental reasons as to why the Dr McKenna Cup should return:
“The 2026 edition would also mark the 100th anniversary since the McKenna Cup’s inception so I think it’d be a great landmark and a great occasion to have if we could actually mark that 100 years of competition.”
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Connacht GAA have stated that they are “already planning” for the 2026 installment of the pre-season FBD League, while Leinster GAA released a stronger statement today:
“As the decision made previously only deferred for the one year, the council agreed on Monday that they will be going ahead in 2026.”
Last season, counties played a host of challenge matches prior to the start of the Allianz Leagues, one of which saw Fermanagh host Monaghan in an event open to the public at a newly developed Tempo.
Many matches unfolded behind closed doors however.
Derry are the current holders of the Dr McKenna Cup, defeating Donegal in the 2024 final, while the Tír Chonaill men claimed a second McGurk Cup in succession having defeated Down in the same year.
