Derry manager Damian McErlain believes the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final is being “diluted” after being moved away from Croke Park.
McErlain’s side face Armagh on Sunday in a repeat of the Ulster Championship final, which the Oak Leafers won 0-12 to 1-7.
The decider traditionally used to be the pre-cursor to the All-Ireland senior final at the GAA’s headquarters.
The 2024 final will be played at Healy Park in Omagh and is the third decider in a row to be played away from Dublin.
Derry defeated Monaghan in last year’s decider, with 13,000 in attendance at the Athletic Grounds.
“A lot of these lads won’t ever play at Croke Park,” said McErlain.
“It doesn’t have to be before the All-Ireland final, it could be before any of the senior Championship fixtures – semi-finals, quarter-finals, whatever.
“It’s the opportunity to win an All-Ireland minor title at Croke Park.”
McErlain feels the changes for the minors – who are under-17 players – are “starting to get ridiculous”.
“They are diluting it recently with no speeches, no interviews after games, no man of the match.
“It’s starting to get ridiculous now. Nobody has ever communicated properly as to why that is.
“That’s what bothers me and even when I do interviews like this I don’t really think there is anybody listening.”
Source link: All-Ireland Minor Championship: Final has been 'diluted' by changes – Damian McErlain