Transfer in the GAA are always a controversial business.
The ethos of the sport is rooted around playing for your local club, with that usually being a lifelong commitment. Of course, this isn't always the case.
Players often transfer to clubs in other parts of the country after moving away from their local area, something that is understandable. In saying that, the reaction Shane Walsh's Kilmacud Crokes move last year shows that such moves can still be controversial.
Moving to another club within your own county is a much rarer thing. It often causes huge controversy, especially if the player is moving to one of the strongest teams in the area.
Jack McCarron transfer causes controversy in Monaghan
One such move is causing plenty of debate in Monaghan at the moment.
Jack McCarron has been a mainstay in their inter-county team for over half a decade and is widely regarded as one of their most talented footballers. He has also been nominated for an All-Star in each of the last two seasons.
He is now at the centre of a controversial move after having a transfer to Scotstown approved by the Monaghan Competitions Controls Committee (CCC).
McCarron has up to this point played his club football with Currin, who are currently a junior club with a very small playing pool.
Scotstown are the most successful club in Monaghan over the last decade, winning seven county championships since 2017. The move was approved due to a rule that allows a player to transfer to a club with which they have an association through parentage. McCarron's father Ray was a mainstay in the Scotstown side in the 1980s.
Currin club chairman, John Connolly, has confirmed that they will be appealing against the transfer. He also summed up how much of a blow such a move would be to the club and community as a whole (h/t Irish Independent):
Naturally enough for a club of our size, there is devastation at potentially losing Jack who has been a wonderful player for us for 22 years.
And that devastation is not just in the club, it’s in the community.
Connolly would go on to say that Currin only have 23 adult players currently available in the club as things stand.
Jack McCarron would link up with a number of other Monaghan players at Scotstown, including the likes of Rory Beggan and Darren and Kieran Hughes. It is difficult to think that this move is not being undertaken in order to increase his chances of winning silverware at club level.
It will be interesting to see where this one goes from here.
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