A proper fixtures programme for club players has been identified as the key priority in the Connacht GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan, launched by GAA President Críostóir Ó Cuana in Claremorris.

There are eleven specific themes in the Plan, but Connacht GAA Secretary John Prenty said the most important one revolved around giving all players in the Association a regular schedule of games.

"As part of the process of developing the Plan, we contacted players all over the province. What we got back from them was illuminating in the extreme - and a real challenge for the GAA," said Mr Prenty, speaking at the launch of the 2009-2015 plan in the McWilliam Park Hotel.
"Players told us very clearly they weren't happy with the scheduling of games. Their programme of matches is just not regular enough. Matches get postponed too easily. Summer months pass by with very few games.

"I can assure everyone involved in Connacht GAA that we will tackle this problem.
"Some counties don't like the fact that we have created Fixtures Planners for every county. But this had to be done - and the Connacht Council will work with those Fixtures Planners on an ongoing basis to ensure that games are scheduled properly."
Mr Prenty pointed to one area where he felt immediate improvements could be made. "You have the situation where a county team brings up to 30 players to a league or other match, and many of those players end up as water-boys or spectators at the game - meanwhile, back at home, their club team is struggling to field a team, or has no match at all," he said.
"Getting fixtures right for our players is the most important part of this Plan. We know we have the full backing of Uachtarán Críostóir Ó Cuana, and Croke Park, because there is now an acceptance that the fixtures chaos cannot continue."
Mr Ó Cuana commended an "historic development" which sees the Council lay firm plans until 2015. "I have just come from Garrymore GAA Club, where club members spoke to me about the challenges they face - amalgamation, depopulation, identity, and other challenges," said Mr Ó Cuana.

"This Plan will succeed by making a difference to a club like Garrymore. If it doesn't, we all have failed. But we are not an organisation that fails. We move forward with optimism.
"Through the Éisteacht programme, I have spoken visited 120 clubs all over Ireland, and everywhere I have met only an air of positivity."
The eleven themes of the Plan are: Volunteers; Urbanisation; Games Schedule; Games Development; Communications; Funding Opportunities; Financial Excellence; Inclusion & Integration; Club, Culture & Community; Planning; and Officer Support.

"This will be a living, breathing document that will have an impact all over the province, and chart the way forward for the GAA here. It is measurable and we will be monitoring it very closely so that we achieve our aims," added Mr Prenty.

Click here to view the Plan