Kevin O'Donovan is "thrilled" that a debate regarding the importance afforded to the GAA's club players has commenced, despite the fact that a controversial proposal put forward by the Cork county board was ultimately defeated.

The recently elected Secretary/CEO of the county board in Cork, O'Donovan discussed the consequences of a series of proposals that captured the imagination far beyond the county alone.

"We knew it was a game-changer when we put it out there," O'Donovan stated on Wednesday's OTB AM. 

"We were delighted it started that debate because our agenda from the very start of this process was to raise the profile of the club game and do whatever we could to give regular and meaningful games to club players across a reasonable period of time."

Of the three options put to the Cork clubs ahead of last night's meeting, 'proposal C' carried the possibility of playing the county's club championship during the Summer; in line with the inter-county calendar.

A scenario whereby inter-county players may feasibly expect to miss one or two of the club championship games within Cork, O'Donovan acknowledged that although clubs ultimately decided against the proposal, positive ground had been made.

"The debate was very informed at times," O'Donovan stated, "and then I think there was a degree of hysteria at times as well where people didn't really read the detail of it."

"We were accused of all sorts of conspiracies, but that funny at times too.

Assertively stating he and the Cork county board would wholeheartedly accept what was a pretty conclusive mandate on behalf of the clubs, Kevin O'Donovan nevertheless believes a seed has been planted, and the club player may soon find him/herself higher up the agenda.

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