THE START of the Allianz league proved a great success nationally, with some large attendances at various venues around the country. The biggest success was at Croke Park, where almost 46,000 people paid to see Kildare v. Tyrone and Dublin v. Kerry.

A well-orchestrated advertising campaign, four top-class intercounty teams, entertainment between games and most importantly value for money drew an excellent crowd in the current climate. It just goes to show that there is a demand for G.A.A. products, once they are reasonably priced. Value for money is essential and a price tag of €13 per ticket was certainly more than reasonable for the entertainment on offer.

Before the administrators in headquarters get carried away and start congratulating themselves on a job well done, I do feel that they made a big blunder with the timing of the Sunday fixtures. Anybody involved in sport in this country knew that the Irish rugby team was playing Wales in the first round of the Six Nations tournament at three o'clock on Sunday afternoon.

All of the Sunday games in the Allianz League were fixed for 2.30 p.m., thus preventing people from seeing both the rugby match and their county team play. The majority of sports people in Ireland play, watch, support or at least have an interest in all sports, and would like the opportunity to see as many games as possible.

Would it not have been sensible to play the league games at an earlier time of 1 or 1.30 p.m., to give people a chance to see Ireland play? After all, on a cold February afternoon when you are faced with a choice of sitting beside the fire watching your international rugby team, or going out in the cold to watch your county team play, it's a tough choice.

At least giving our supporters the option shows some thought for the people who really matter. Undoubtedly attendances all over the country suffered due to the rugby match, so with revenue so difficult to attain at the moment more consideration should be given in future.

On the home front Wexford began their campaign with a game against Cavan. Wexford's opponents would have been delighted to get back to concentrating on football, rather than the recent distraction of the publicity surrounding the Seánie Johnston transfer saga.

I know Kildare are short of forwards, but this proposed transfer pushes the boundaries of legality to the extreme. Cavan's star forward works in Cavan town as a teacher and has now supposedly moved 85 miles away to Straffan in Kildare.

The 27-year-old might be better served staying with Cavan Gaels and proving the county management wrong for dropping him, by excelling in the local league and championship. This could be his best route back to playing the inter-county football he desires.

Wexford started this league campaign with a couple of new faces and a number of positional changes. Lee Chin and Andrew Shore made their competitive debuts at this level and both can be happy with their contributions.

Adrian Flynn lined out at centre-back and played well in the second-half when his driving runs set up some important scores. Graeme Molloy picked up where he left off last year and never looked under pressure.

The most pleasing aspect was the manner in which the team responded when it looked like Cavan were going to snatch the game with a late rally. Wexford were eight points up and cruising when their opponents gained an upper hand. In the space of five minutes they reduced the deficit to one point, and Wexford had Daithí Waters sent-off after receiving a second yellow card while conceding a penalty.

A brilliant save by Anthony Masterson from the resultant penalty was the inspiration Wexford needed, and from that moment every player made a contribution to a hard-earned but deserved win.

It was an encouraging start to the campaign and an important home win with a difficult trip to Sligo coming up next Sunday. It is still early days and there are loads of improvements to make, but all concerned should be happy with the performance at this stage of the season.