My calendar masterplan: Club first and scrap Allianz League

While fully understanding this debate is for the end and not the start of the year, after watching the lads last Sunday have a discussion, I said I would sit down and try map out a calendar year.

Of course, with something like this there is always a for and against. And what I will say, is I am always pro player. What is best for the player, what does the player want, and what are the pros and the cons.

So here goes. My attempt at a balanced split-season.

Club training recommences. Under no circumstances can any collective training take place in November or December.

If lads have to be given individual programmes to get them through those months then fine, but it shouldn't be a case odd lads going back on the 'QT’ to get ahead of the pack. No fines. No sneakiness, just a golden rule.

They then have eight weeks to get ready: gym, challenges, training etc, which in my opinion is enough time. Because most lads will have done a bit themselves anyway throughout the winter. It’s the way things have gone.

This format also goes for all age groups in clubs.

The club v county debate rumbles on. pic.twitter.com/Sz2N4v8ciy

First week of March

Round one for all clubs in the first week of March. Round two for all clubs in second week of March. Break week on week three.

Round three for all clubs in fourth week of March. Round four for all clubs in first week of April. After this, you will have relegation battles, quarter-final, semi-finals etc.

Quarter-finals/relegations/play-offs to be held on third week in April. Semi-finals to be held on the fourth week of April.

And the county final to take place on the second week of May.

So what does that do? Allows all our club players to play with their clubs from the outset, give players the opportunity to