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1st April 2015
04:32pm BST

McCluskey, who has ventured into a new analysis business with tagitstats, has played Irish League with Portadown and he reckons that the GAA could learn a lot from the way the soccer is run. If they are to really address the issue of fixtures.
“The championship structure needs restructured," he said. "I honestly believe that clubs have suffered over the last number of years because of county setups and it’s something that really needs to be addressed by the new president. It would be nice for him to have a look at it because I think clubs have suffered over the years.
“It would be nice if there was some sort of integration between the two leagues. I think it would give more impetus to the club player and it would give more importance to the club fixture where they would have the chance – like an international call-up – of maybe getting a call-up to play for their counties.
“And, yes, coming up to the end of the league campaign, the squad will almost be picked for the provincial intercounty championship series.
“There’s been a fixture problem for years. It is such a big commitment during the season that players need to be given that time off. You only have to look at our soccer counterparts. Speaking from the Irish Premier League side, they’d have the guts of six weeks off. Players need it to really recharge the batteries. Yes, you do miss out on a lot of family time and stuff but it just means there’s that wee bit more freshness when you’re getting back.
“It’s more so for the younger players in the U21s and minors. There are some young lads involved with club sides and county minors and U21s and some of them are involved in senior teams – there’s a few of them on our side – it’s just non-stop for them. And obviously if they’re involved with universities, it’s absolute madness. It’s unfair as well because, at that age, they maybe haven’t got the will-power to talk to managers like I suppose you would have when you’re a bit older. So unfortunately they’re getting pulled from pillar to post."
Fermanagh did the business in Wexford last weekend and, even with a game to spare, they are gearing up for a Division Three final with Armagh. That represents the possibility of McCluskey's first piece of silverware for his county and it's something that helps with the slog along the way.
But it isn't really a slog. It's tough work but he does it because he loves it.
“Over the years we’ve complained that each year it’s getting worse and worse and worse and that there’s more commitment but if the players sign up to the agreement at the start of the year, they’re willing to give those sacrifices. We enjoy doing it at the end of the day.
“It can be tough as well at times, we’ve had a few tough years ourselves and, when you’re giving so much commitment and not getting any rewards, it is tough. But it’s nice now that the hard work thus far has paid off and it’s nice to be sitting in a final with a game to spare.
“It would be lovely to be sitting with silverware of any kind and be able to show my nephews and nieces and children but I suppose that’s sort of what keeps driving you on as well and you still want to get to the top, not settle. It’s the enjoyment thing too – it is a lot of sacrifice and it is a lot of commitment – but I enjoy it as well and I know for a fact that when that day comes when I have to stop playing, I’m definitely going to miss it."
When the day comes, he's already talking about coaching, managing. He'll already be looking at another way of getting his hands on the Holy Grail.
Not a diluted version of it.
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