LEINSTER GAA CHAIRMAN John Horan insists that the province’s January tournaments play a vital role in helping members of the organisation who are having difficulties off the field.

Horan, in response to criticism of competitions such as the Walsh, O’Byrne and Kehoe cups, highlighted that those fixtures generated important funds. And that money essentially acts as an insurance policy for members of the association who fall on hard times.

“It is important to again place on record the important role that our January competitions play within our association,” Horan said.

“The Walsh Cup was established in 1954 and together with the Kehoe Cup senior hurling competition and the O’Byrne Cup senior football competition they are collectively known as the Accident Tournaments.

“Money generated from the attendances at these games is used to address issues of hardship suffered by players and by ordinary members of the GAA in Leinster.

“This work is done privately and without fanfare, but is an opportunity for Leinster GAA to play a role at helping out individuals and families in a time of need, whenever such a need arises and help is sought.”

The issue of player burnout continues to be a hot topic for the GAA and the scrapping of pre-season competitions is seen by some as the easiest way to reduce the workload for young players.

However, Horan believes that the tournaments at the start of the year give counties a great opportunity to blood new players and prepare for the season ahead.

“Since the games have moved to the month of January, and aided by the sponsorship from Bord na Móna, the Accident Tournaments play a very important role in helping Leinster counties prepare for the start of the national leagues.

“Such is the pressure for league points that the Walsh, Kehoe and O’Byrne Cups are an invaluable opportunity for them to try out new players.

“For the hurlers of Dublin, Galway, Wexford and Offaly the chance to play in the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup final at Croke Park later this month is a very real prize.

“Likewise, the boost enjoyed by the footballers of Longford in their Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup win over All-Ireland champions Dublin last Sunday is a significant event for them.”

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