We're fond of the Fighting Cocks here at Balls.ie. It's not just because we both have genitalia-based names. It's not just because our readers said they were the Best Named GAA Club In The World. We like to think they like a fight. So we were appalled to learn that the reigning Carlow Intermediate Football champions will not rightfully ascend to the senior championship next year because of some fixture restructuring by the Carlow County Board. Imagine toiling all summer long to win the intermediate championship in Carlow only with senior football as the sole objective for a club that hasn't played senior since '39 and then be told it was all in vain. It's like climbing a mountain to find an even higher mountain once the mist clears at the peak.
Luckily, there are still 24 hours or so to make an impact. The Carlow County Board is meeting tomorrow night to pass this motion, so there's still time to sway their minds. We've created a petition online. Sign it. Tell your friends to sign it. Tell the GAA people you dislike to sign it. Tell GAA club secretaries in your county to sign it. If the Fighting Cocks lads can turn up with 5000 signatures in their back pocket and an expression of collective indignation from the broader GAA community, they may be able to change the minds of the clubs and county board.
It may not be the greatest injustice of our time, but the Fighting Cocks earned the right to play senior football next year. We shouldn't let the Carlow County Board take that away.
