Roscommon manger Cian Smith slammed the GAA after Wednesday night’s All-Ireland U20 semi-final defeat to Kerry.
The Connacht champions bowed out of the All-Ireland after a 3-17 to 17-point defeat to Kerry in Thurles. Speaking to Shannonside sport, Smith was unhappy with the scheduling of the game.
“I think personally it's absolutely disgraceful that it's on a Wednesday night” explained Smith.
It’s “just not right. I know. It's absolutely crazy. And look, this is supposed to be the second, Premier competition”.
“It's one thing playing the Connacht Championship round-robin on a Wednesday night, no problem at all. But for ourselves and Kerry to come down here on a Wednesday night!”
“To be honest with you, we had two guys today who couldn't talk for us because we were doing exams in college”.
“That's like, it's absolutely scandalous for players, for supporters and for management” Smith added.
“Like, at the end of the day, we're all volunteers. We all have day jobs". Smith added, "We all have to take half days, as you said, for nearly two months on Wednesday nights”.
“We love doing it, but the GAA needs to really think about promoting it. Obviously, the issue is senior players playing with under-20 squads”.
“But at the end of the day, you're either under-20 or you're senior. You'll play senior for long enough”.
Kerry advance to Tyrone final
A disappointed Roscommon boss praised his players after comeback in normal time before losing out to Kerry.
“We didn't plan to be finishing our year up to here. I can't say enough about these lads”.
“You know, everything we've asked them to do, they've done. They gave us everything all year, again tonight”.
“Things didn't go our way at certain times and they just battled and battled and battled”.
“I'm disappointed to lose, but I'm absolutely gutted for the lads. Because they're just super, super lads”.
“This is all for them and you know I feel sorry for them that our season is over now”.
