Almost 30,000 fans attended Dr McKenna Cup games in Ulster in 2024 while 10,000 fans watched live streams of the games
Ulster GAA have hit out at the decision to scrap pre-season inter-county competitions for 2025. Following a meeting of GAA’s central council last weekend, it was decided that all pre-season competitions, such as the popular Dr McKenna Cup, should be paused for one season with a new Championship format to be voted on for 2026.
However, history suggests that once a competition is paused, it is usually put on the backburner and forgotten. The Railway Cup and the Ulster Senior Hurling Championships have yet to be resurrected and there are concerns among Ulster football fans that the Dr McKenna Cup will go the same way. Read next:Former Limerick star Shane Dowling backs 'overtime showdown' for hurling despite shootout heroics for Na PiarsaighAlmost 30,000 fans attended Dr McKenna Cup games in Ulster in 2024 while 10,000 fans watched live streams of the games, so the provincial body can expect to take a six-figure financial hit in 2025. A spokesperson for Ulster GAA said: "While disappointed that there will be no pre-season competitions in 2025, Ulster GAA accepts the decision of Ard Comhairle. “We fully understand the issues around player welfare articulated by the Gaelic Players Association and others and we recognise the importance of the proper balance being struck between the welfare of our players and the overall games programme. “We were surprised at the decision of Ard Comhairle, given that the results of a recent survey of counties, which was presented to Ard Comhairle members, indicated a preference for the retention of pre-season competitions. The decision will result in the curtailment of some of the programmes that Ulster GAA offers. “However, the decision has been made and there is now a clear onus on the GPA to ensure that the return to train protocols and date are strictly adhered to by their members."
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