Waterford boss Paraic Fanning laments 'nonsense' decision to ban foreign training camps
Tuesday 30 April 2019 14:47, UK
Waterford manager Paraic Fanning has lashed out at the decision to ban foreign training camps for inter-county teams.
It has been widely reported that the GAA top brass are moving to stamp out training trips abroad. The Deise spent last week in Monte Gordo, Portugal, after getting it approved by Croke Park. However, they were one of three counties to be punished for having a training camp in 2018, losing a home fixture in the 2019 Allianz League as a result.
"We got it approved," said Fanning of last week's trip to Portugal. "Even last year we were one of the few counties who played our four club games in April last year, and we still got punished. This year we looked for approval and we went away and we had a week's training."
Although the Deise fine-tuned their preparations for the championship on the Algarve, it looks like such ventures will soon become a thing of the past.
"I think it's a load of nonsense, being totally honest," Fanning said. "I think the GAA could concentrate on a few other things, more pressing for everybody, club players and county players than worrying about how top players are trying to prepare for a championship and doing their best to prepare properly. Be that home or abroad, wherever it is.
"I don't think they should be too concerned, as they seem to be about it. I could think of far more pressing issues.
"It didn't impact on our club fixtures, it didn't impact on our club fixtures last year. I'm a huge club man. I'm still involved with my own club, Mount Sion. I always will be. I'm very much aware of the needs of [club players]. I think that's one pressing issue. Everybody is talking about the calendar. We can talk about it all the time. We need to get it sorted for club players and county players."
Fanning went on to appeal to the decision-makers to listen to all stakeholders before making any concrete decision.
"Everyone does training camps," he said. "I think all counties do them. It's one of the few times you get a chance, especially after the club championships that you get everyone back up to speed again.
"The hierarchy are talking about that. It would be good to have a talk and a good consultation about that and then make an informed decision, rather than making a decision without talking to anybody."
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