Glen urge Congress to vote down season-extension motion
Former All-Ireland club champions Watty Graham's Glen have urged GAA Congress delegates to vote against the motion to extend the inter-county season by two weeks.
A recommendation by a sub-committee chaired by former GAA director general Páraic Duffy proposes a two-week extension to the inter-county season and is one of 25 motions to be tabled at this weekend's Congress.
If passed, the motion would see the All-Ireland senior football final played in the second week of August with the hurling showpiece taking place at the end of July.
RTÉ Sport understands that there remain concerns about the impact on the club season while some counties are also unhappy that pre-season competitions would be effectively retired should the motion pass.
It would also see the January pre-season tournaments scrapped.
However, the GPA, some clubs and county boards have expressed strong opposition to any suggestion that the inter-county season would be prolonged.
One of those is Derry club Watty Graham’s Glen GAC.
Last year they stated their resistance to any potential extension, arguing that it would undermine club football and risk the "fabric, health and sustainability" of the GAA.
They argued in late 2025 that the proposed two-week extension would effectively end the 'split season’ model, leaving little room for meaningful club involvement.
The club also expressed its fear that extended county seasons would curtail the availability of top players being available for their clubs.
This, in turn, would damage local competitions, they maintained.
In a statement, the club stated that the split season model had brought greater certainty and fairness to clubs and players alike.
"Before making such a significant adjustment, we must ask whether all aspects of the calendar have been fully considered, including the provincial club championships and the wider intercounty season," the statement read.
"CLG Watty Graham are calling on Congress to pause and properly assess whether there is genuine appetite for this change, and if so, whether this is the right approach.
"Many clubs have made their position clear, directing their county board delegates to vote against. CLG Watty Graham are urging all delegates who attend Congress to vote against the motion."
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