John Small backs two week gap between games

Michael Bolton

Former Dublin footballer John Small says more gaps are needed between games under the new format.

In a championship where games have come thick and fast, a defeat for teams can mean an added week and extra game in what is already a packed schedule.

After Dublin's extra-time win over Dublin, they will be playing for the third time in three weeks, when they face Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

The seven-time All-Ireland winner does not want fewer games, but is concerned by the toll it is taking on players, particularly the amount of games missed through injuries.

"It's obviously way more condensed. It is probably tougher on the body. If you get beaten early, you have big gaps like Donegal were beaten by Down. They had a four or five-week break.

"You contrast that to the likes of Armagh, I think they played something like seven games in 11 weeks, which is very tough. That amount of games is very difficult to manage. I think you should get two weeks between a game.

"Dublin are now playing three weeks on the bounce, having gone to extra time. That's hard. Galway had a two-week break, and that's the reward for winning their games. But it is tough on the bodies, and emotionally it's quite tough as well to come down and then you have to get ready," Small said.

"That's the challenge for the teams. In terms of the structure, as a player I always wanted more games. You want less training, more games. But there's probably a balance to look at. Can they structure it that it's two weeks between every game?

"Even then, a guy that picks up an injury, he's going to miss a huge portion of the championship. For an injury in the old structure, you might miss one, max two games.

"Now, you could be missing four games. It's something to be looked at. I'm not sure about less matches. I don't know about that."

Small was speaking after Dublin's best performance of the season, where they defeated All-Ireland finalists Donegal by four points.

A season where Dublin were defeated in the Leinster final by Westmeath and lost to Louth in the All-Ireland, Ger Brennan's side reminded everyone of their quality to reach the last eight.

Having played with several players on the squad, Small was always sure the Dubs were capable of a big performance.

"I thought Dublin were excellent. Definitely their best performance of the year. Should have won by more, if I'm being honest. I thought that actually four points flattered Donegal.

"I've said at the start of the year, I think Dublin's best 15 can be anyone. And I still believe that. If they get everyone on the pitch and then their subs, they have some good subs to come in too, they're a match for anybody.

"It's just the momentum with the new game and stuff, they probably couldn't wrestle it back. It's just a few errors that they need to just work on.

"Definitely think they have the quality, which would be a much bigger issue if you didn't have the quality. Dublin definitely have the quality."

A key part of one of the greatest sides of all time, the Ballymun man brought the curtain down on his inter-county career last October.

Despite some conversations with Brennan, Small's decision was final, and he has no regrets.

"I actually don't miss it too much to be honest. I thought I might miss it more. I'm very much focused on the club stuff, but I'm a big Dublin supporter, I want Dublin to do well. I was before I was playing with Dublin and will continue to be long after. I love watching the games."