Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many Senators have mentioned the GAA and the national league. We really need to discuss the matter. I do not see a need for national leagues at the moment because there is no logic in players travelling, for example, from Kerry to Monaghan and Cavan to Kildare. We need to look at what we are trying to do.

As much as the GAA can control what happens on the pitch, it cannot control what happens off the pitch. We saw that in my county in the last few weeks after a county final. I worry about such scenarios and so appeal to the GAA to step back from the issue and realise that the national leagues do not need to happen. As a GAA supporter, and without being rude to the national leagues, they are not the most important part of the GAA calendar. At a later stage we can assess whether the All-Ireland series should be go ahead. For now, I urge the GAA to step back from the abyss and cancel the national league games this weekend.