Conor Glass: Ulster football still has massive selling point

Derry powerhouse Conor Glass has hailed the Ulster championship and feels there is space for it within the new championship structure.

With the emergence of the round-robin system for both Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup competitions, more pressure has been heaped on the provincial series – with Leinster continuing to be dominated by Dublin, and Munster largely ruled by Kerry.

But Glass, who joined AFL club Hawthorn in 2015 as an international B category rookie having captained his county to the Ulster minor title that year, and played 21 AFL games before returning home in 2020, says that his provincial competition remains a red-letter one.

"I honestly think there is space for it, 100%," he says. "And this year will hopefully show it.

"Ulster football and Munster hurling are massive selling points.

"Leinster has obviously been ruled by Dublin for a long time, but Connacht has been interesting with Mayo, Roscommon and Galway battling hard in the last few years.

"I loved growing up going to the Ulster championship games and I always wanted to be a part of it.

"Thankfully, I experienced it last year," he said, referring to his county's provincial success.

But the Glen man has warned that it won’t be easy to fit everything in – pre-season, league, provincial, round-robin, All-Ireland series – and the club campaigns – going forward.

"The new structures will definitely make it tougher for players to play year in and year out. Especially for those who are playing for successful counties and clubs.

"I had no break at all last year and it was not ideal.

"That’s just part of it. I’m not going to say I didn’t enjoy it. I love the sport and I wouldn’t be playing it if I didn’t.

"But if this is going to be in play year on year it will definitely