Division 4 finale 'undermined' integrity of the league

The final round of fixtures in Division 4 undermined the integrity of the league and doesn't bode well for the promotion of the Tailteann Cup, according to Ciarán Whelan.

While all teams in the top three divisions played at the same time, the bottom tier came in for scrutiny when the fixture listed decreed that promotion-seeking Tipperary and Cavan would both be in action on Saturday evening, with fellow Division 3 hopefuls Sligo hosting Leitrim the following day.

While the Yeats County kept up their end of the bargain in getting over Andy Moran’s side, the game was effectively a dead rubber given both Tipp and Cavan won the previous evening to secure promotion, the Premier County sealing a fifth win on the bounce in the competition and the Breffni men proving far too strong for Waterford.

Tipperary coach Paddy Christie said earlier in the week he didn’t feel there was "anything untoward" in the scheduling, but speaking on League Sunday, both Kevin McStay and Whelan felt it was not in the best interest of the competition.

McStay called on the GAA to explain why the games didn’t all take place at the same time, while former Dublin footballer Whelan says it is a cautionary tale with the inaugural Tailteann Cup looking for a slice of publicity and coverage when it begins later this year.

Kevin McStay and Ciarán Whelan called on the GAA to explain why the final round of Division 4 matches did not throw-in at the same time – and said the decision raises concerns over the Tailteann Cup and how it will be promoted. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/Jbmq0SPLsv

"It’s about the bigger picture," Whelan said.

"Right throughout the league we had games on a Saturday. "We’re going to have the Tailteann Cup and qualifiers on a Saturday. Everybody has