Tyrone triple All-Eire winner Ciaran Gourley remains to be stacking up honours whereas on the identical time harbouring ideas for these gamers who would possibly encounter extra issue in rubbing shoulders with success.
The 41-year-old Gourley was a key member of the Tyrone Masters group that earlier this month landed back-to-back All-Eire Masters titles however whereas glad to share within the triumph, he's extra involved with seeing provision made for an extension to the honours presently on provide throughout the GAA.
Over a decade has elapsed since he gained his three All-Eire medals, three Ulster medals and a Nationwide League honour with the Purple Hand county, his defensive capabilities having initially come underneath the highlight with the Rock membership close to Cookstown to whom he rendered excellent service.
However Gourley’s dedication to the game he loves stays unbounded and he makes no bones about highlighting what he believes may very well be a well timed innovation.
“Whereas I'm delighted to have taken half in Tyrone’s success within the current Masters competitors, I need to admit that this channelled my ideas in direction of the Tailteann Cup which simply obtained off the bottom this yr,” displays Gourley, “And I truthfully imagine that if a Tailteann Cup All-Stars group have been to be picked yr on yr going ahead, it will lend additional impetus to the competitors.”
Just like the overwhelming majority of gamers and followers – certainly, officers if the reality be advised – Gourley was cautious concerning the impression that the Tailteann Cup would make when it will definitely obtained off the bottom this yr.
If the preliminary levels supplied low-key fare and created solely delicate enthusiasm amongst followers, the competitors slowly however certainly took on a lifetime of its personal and when GAA chiefs determined to inject a few tantalising bonuses into the winners’ total prize haul, championship fervour changed what had been nothing greater than going via the motions.
Now Gourley is eager to see a Tailteann Cup All-Stars group chosen yearly, one thing he feels will additional enhance the general customary of play and produce curiosity to a fair increased degree.
“I feel it was an excellent determination to play the Tailteann Cup closing between Westmeath and Cavan in tandem with the Derry v Galway All-Eire championship semi-final at Croke Park as a result of it meant that some 60,000 individuals noticed for themselves the usual that was on provide,” factors out Gourley.
“Put that together with the truth that the winners Westmeath have been supplied with a really substantial vacation fund bonus and that they go straight into the All-Eire championship correct subsequent yr.”
“Now if the GAA have been to go a stage additional and choose an All-Star Tailteann Cup group, I feel it will be one other incentive for gamers,” insists Gourley.
And he's little doubt that the idea of a Tailteann Cup All-Star group could be welcomed by the gamers themselves.
“An All-Stars group would give the competitors additional standing. Certainly, I feel the GAA authorities ought to attempt to preserve including to the competitors,” provides Gourley.