'U21 grade deserves a proper place in the calendar' - Calls grow for Cork GAA to give the competition stability

Ballincollig U21 football manager Ciarán Noonan says the future of the U21 grade on Leeside hinges on one thing, giving the competition a fixed slot in the calendar.

With this year’s Macroom Motors Muskerry U21 A Football Championship pushed back twice — once due to county board intervention and again because of player availability — Noonan believes the current structure simply isn’t sustainable for clubs or players.

The semi-finals were originally pencilled in weeks ago, only to be moved out to next Friday. The holders, Ballincollig, face Naomh Abán, while Éire Óg meet Donoughmore. 

For Noonan, that disruption reflects a wider issue in Cork football.

“It is very challenging,” he says.

“The Cork County Board came out with a directive that the first six months were for the Cork U20s. They wanted that time. Traditionally U21 was played in February, but the Cork U20s wanted the players.” 

The knock-on effect has been felt across Muskerry. 

“It’s very tough on clubs. The Muskerry Board are trying their best. This game has been fixed twice, called off once because of the Cork County Board. Now it’s going ahead, but lads are on holidays. The competition deserves a lot more respect.” 

For Noonan, the U21 grade remains one of the most important stepping stones in a player’s development. 

“My own time playing — and I’d say 90 percent of footballers will tell you — the U21 grade is the most enjoyable. You’re just coming out of minor before you get into the adult grade. 

"You’re still with all your friends, you’re mingling, you’re socialising with them after games. It’s brilliant.

"If you look at what Kerry are doing, Kerry play it once the Kerry U20s are out. The U20 competition finishes and they play it then. I think there’s a space for it there.

"They’re on about shortening the county leagues in Cork. That would only help the U21 club competition. It deserves its own place in the calendar where it’s not going to be pushed around and shifted.” 

Ballincollig have worked hard to accommodate the grade, but Noonan knows not every club can juggle the demands. 

“We’re in it because we love football and want the best for the lads. As long as the competition gets respect, that’s all we want. The adult teams have been great to us. But you’re all fighting for the same group of players. 

"Ballincollig are handling it very well. I imagine other clubs are going to have trouble over it.” 

The U21 grade, he says, shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought. 

“There’s so much underlying in the senior competitions, and the U21 competition is basically the little brother to it. But it’s vital for development. It deserves more than being squeezed into whatever gap is left.”