The underage scene in Galway will become a summer “wasteland” if All-Ireland minor finals return as curtain-raisers to the senior deciders, according to county chairman Paul Bellew. Bellew points out the ticketing implications a minor final would have on the allocations of those counties competing in the senior game, but Galway’s opposition to the motion is rooted in what the traditional final double-header would do to the club scene in their county. “We played 254 games last year between our minor and our U20 championships. Pic ©INPHO/Ben Brady“The usual comment is ‘if you get knocked out, you can start then’ but Galway have played in 10 All-Ireland minor finals between hurling and football since 2016. “We should be playing hurling and football week-on, week-off and under-age football should be played on the weekends of adult hurling and vice-versa.

Source: Irish Examiner February 23, 2026 19:59 UTC