Colm Cooper blasts GAA All-Ireland draw decision ahead of Provincial finals

Colm Cooper and Lee Keegan questioned the GAA's decision to host the All-Ireland draw this week before the Provincial finals.

This weekend's games were somewhat overshadowed by the decision to host the draw with each of the provincial finalists learning who they would face in their All-Ireland round-robin stage group.

The draw particularly affected the Connacht final with the winners knowing in advance they would be drawn in the 'group of death' alongside the Ulster runners-up, Derry and Westmeath.

And ahead of the action, Kerry legend Colm Cooper slammed the decision.

Speaking on the Sunday Game, he said: "During the week the draw on Tuesday at three o'clock. Jack O'Connor described it as a distraction and I would agree with him on that. We're talking about the Provincial finals and we should be building these up, next thing we have a draw for the next stage of the competition in the middle of the week of the provincials. It has been a strange type of week."

And Cooper added: "It takes away from the Provincial finals. We talk about jeopardy and what is at stake for teams. This takes from it definitely. We now operate in a very condensed season and everything is a very rapid turnaround, managers are trying to prepare and I know county boards are trying to prepare for matches in two weeks time and booking hotels and that's a factor.

"But certainly having a draw on a Tuesday at half three in the middle of the day that is not benefitting our game or promoting our game in my opinion."

Former Mayo star Lee Keegan had a similar view when asked.

"I do agree with Colm, I think that distraction is taking away a little bit from the weekend. I'm excited for this weekend but in the back of your mind, I'd say every manager in the country is thinking we have two weeks now. We are either going to be playing Derry or the Ulster loser. We're thinking as analysts so you can imagine in the dressing room.

"Today I think the players will go really hard at it but it is just the frustration of know the group games are made and what is ahead of you that has just taken away fromt his weekend."

Galway and Mayo played out an enthralling Connacht final in the end with Conor Gleeson kicking the winning score. Kerry beat Clare in their Munster final earlier in the day.

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