IT WAS with some surprise that I learnt of Tommy Jordan’s appointment as Sligo manager on Tuesday night last, not for any doubting of the Crossmolina man’s credentials, just that most talk prior to the announcement heavily hinted that Roscommon great, Fergal O’Donnell, was a near certain shoe in for the vacancy. The possibility that the latter might have been interested in the position had surprised me too for it was my understanding that the All-Ireland Minor winning manager had previously indicated that he wasn’t ready for the commitment attached to managing at senior inter-county level. And anyhow, something tells me there’s one or two ‘heads’ in authority on Shannonside who might have something a bit more tempting lined up for Fergie a year or so down the road, if or when he is ready!
Jordan was a willing and worthy candidate for Mayo’s senior and under 21 managerial positions in the not too distant past and were it not for high profile names like Mickey Moran and John O’Mahony floating around at those times, his CV may well have been viewed more favourably than the rest. The venture into the world of inter-county football is only a natural progression for someone who has achieved more than most at club grade, the AIB All-Ireland title and one other final appearance the obvious highlights of his reign on Deelside.
Some followers may view Jordan’s decision as a strange one, his task of bettering what Tommy Breheny achieved in his first full season in charge unenviable, given that Sligo this year won only its second Connacht title in over 100 years of trying. It’s arguable that for the Yeats County to win back-to-back Nestor Cups is the impossible dream yet forever the fickle bunch, the fans are still likely to deem anything less as failure, and as one experienced county team boss explained to me during the week: “While most Sligo supporters wont expect their team to replicate the achievements of last season, that wont stop them from finding reason to apportion the blame for that on the new man if or when his team does fail.”
But if there’s an individual who has a knack of maintaining players appetites from one year to the next, and who has proven capable of handling players with big reputations, then Tommy Jordan is that person- and he’ll no doubt be setting the bar pretty high for his new troops for whom the challenge should be pretty clear. To simply repeat what had already been done the previous season, nothing more or nothing less, would not necessarily be considered progress by many teams across the country (unless it involved retaining an All-Ireland crown) but an exception could certainly be made in the case of a success starved county like Sligo were they to retain the provincial silverware, for that in itself would be a unique feat- 47 years separating their first and second wins.
We wish you all the success possible Tommy, as long as it doesn’t impinge on the prospects of Johno and the boys!
*************************************** Not that I wish to make light of the situation that our inter-county GAA stars currently find themselves in, but is there something a bit Irish about a bunch of amateurs voting for strike action unless they get paid? The quicker the relevant parties agree on an avenue by which to channel the government funded player grants, the better all round. There are reasonable views expressed by people sitting on either side of the fence. Protectors of the GAA’s amateur ethos fear that this precedent of player payment will have far reaching consequences, the extremists suggesting that it’s a precursor to professionalism.
GPA supporters simply argue that this modest sum (circa •2,000) is just reward for the sacrifices of the modern day footballer or hurler- and few GAA folk differ with that. However, large is the number of fans at odds with the GPA’s proposal that players should withdraw their availability from inter-county duty, reasons of opposition to strike action of which are varied.
Yes, it may be the case that without players the GAA has nothing, but can it not also be said that be it for improved job prospects, a handy work placement, a university scholarship or attractive sponsor-ship, some players need the GAA more than the GAA needs them?
Not that it’s ever likely to come to pass, but if the inter-county players were to strike next February, could the GAA turn a desperate situation to their advantage by ordering its county boards to fulfil the NFL or NHL fixtures regardless, using whatever players were willing to play for their county?
Sending out word to its grassroots, the vast majority of who are fiercely opposed to any possible deviation from amateur status, to turn out in force and support their teams at the said games, in as big or bigger numbers than might normally attend league matches, the GAA might then have GPA members questioning who really does need who after all.
***************************************
SO IT’s predicted that Belmullet’s to be under water in 100 years time and that Blacksod, Geesala and Doohoma will become off shore islands, however, you don’t have to look that far down the line to see the effect of climate change in Mayo- it’s plain to be seen already! Did you ever think you’d see the mid-November day when three consecutive games would be played on the hallowed turf of McHale Park, as was the case on Sunday last for the senior football league finals? Still, there are some things that never change- Crossmolina won again and silenced the doubters, rounding off Tommy Jordan’s tenure with victory in the Division 1 final.
Facebook
