DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND winning manager Jim Gavin says he has no interest in exploring midweek football fixtures.
Dublin beat Louth on Wednesday night in the O’Byrne Cup but it’s their only competitive midweek game of the entire year and Gavin said he’s happy to keep it that way.
The Leinster Council are keen to stage more midweek games as they believe it will help ease the logjam at club level.
But their efforts have come to nought so far with Offaly rejecting calls to play next summer’s Championship opener with Longford on a Friday evening.
There have been consistent attempts to pencil Dublin in for a Friday night league game, including one against Kildare this march, though all have come to nought so far.
“Yeah, it’s a big challenge,” said Gavin. “And I think the reaction of the players hasn’t been positive in most counties. It’s a player’s game and we need to listen to what the players have to say and if it doesn’t suit them we have to listen to that message.”
Gavin said he was happy to play a one off O’Byrne Cup tie during the week and reckons it also works well for inter-county underage fixtures.
“I don’t see it being an issue at U-21 level but that’s as far as I can see it going,” he added. “In a pre-season tournament, yeah, we use it as a fitness exercise as much as for tactical and technical development.”
Dublin’s Conor Walsh and Louth’s Liam Shevlin.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Wednesday’s win over Louth means Dublin are joint top of Group D alongside DCU, whom they meet on Sunday at Parnell Park.
The winners will qualify for a semi-final against Meath or Wicklow who also meet in a Group C decider.
“It will add an extra dimension to the game on Sunday, which will be good for both managers,” added Gavin.