Football

Niall Scully unsure over split season

Dublin Footballer Niall Scully is photographed in Rathfarnham at the launch of the new virtual AIG Health Plus portal which offers free membership at www.aig.ie/dubgym for all Dublin GAA club players and members to a unique physiotherapy-led fitness and health online resource that includes virtual gym membership Picture by Harry Murphy / Sportsfile
Dublin Footballer Niall Scully is photographed in Rathfarnham at the launch of the new virtual AIG Health Plus portal which offers free membership at www.aig.ie/dubgym for all Dublin GAA club players and members to a unique physiotherapy-led fitness and h Dublin Footballer Niall Scully is photographed in Rathfarnham at the launch of the new virtual AIG Health Plus portal which offers free membership at www.aig.ie/dubgym for all Dublin GAA club players and members to a unique physiotherapy-led fitness and health online resource that includes virtual gym membership Picture by Harry Murphy / Sportsfile

DUBLIN’S Niall Scully says he is “not sure” if the split-season model is the best way forward for the GAA.

The association’s Annual Congress recently passed a rule that will see future All-Ireland finals played by the middle of July at the latest, paving the way for a permanent split between the club and inter-county seasons.

That led to the disbandment of the Club Players’ Association, who felt that they had achieved their aim of ‘fixing the fixtures’.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of AIG’s new Health & Wellness portal, which offers free membership for all Dublin club players and members to a physiotherapy-led fitness and health online resource that includes virtual gym membership, Scully said he has concerns over the idea.

“It’s something that we don’t know, haven’t been in, that we’re not used to.

“I’m not sure whether a split season is the way best going forward. At this stage we’re all just looking to play games.

“As soon as club and county football gets back, whichever way they bring it back, it’s going to work this year.

“Is a three or four month break for club players what they are looking for? That would be my concern on it.”

He also discussed the issue of the new rules around cynicism in both football and hurling.

Any deliberate cynical foul on an attacker inside the 21’ or the ‘D’ will result in a penalty and a black card, meaning the offender is sin-binned for 10 minutes.

“It’s probably going to be a tougher one for the referees than anyone else,” said Scully.

“The referee has to make them decisions. The black card is probably a harsh enough penalty to pay.

“I’m not too certain on whether a penalty being awarded is going to work perfectly well but I suppose it’s going to be trialled. See how it goes.”

The Templeogue Synge Street clubman recently picked up his first Allstar, having been established as a key player on the Dublin team since making his breakthrough in 2017.

He picked up his fourth straight All-Ireland out of the six consecutive titles won by the majority of the squad, albeit in very different circumstances as they beat Mayo in an empty Croke Park on the last Saturday before Christmas.

“When there’s nearly 85,000 taken out of a stadium you’re going to notice it. Not being able to go out with the squad and enjoy it is again something that you’re going to notice but the enjoyment and the feeling at the final whistle was definitely no different than in previous years.

“The day after the game you were only allowed four at a table at a time and you couldn’t be booking out pubs because everyone was trying to get into them at that stage.

“I would have met up with a few of them the day after the game for a few pints but you only get an hour and 45 on the table before getting moved on. It’s all the more reason to give this year a good bash.”