News round-up: It was somewhat ironic that AIB launched the new season of the club championship on the back of the GAA's reports into player burnout and fixture congestion.

For James "Cha" Fitzpatrick, one of the stars of reigning All-Ireland club hurling champions Ballyhale Shamrocks, the problem of being pulled and dragged between club and county duties at the highest level, is something he is well used to. Not that he would have it any other way.

And reigning All-Ireland club football champions Crossmaglen, who were given a special presentation at yesterday's launch in Belfast in recognition of their recent 12th successive Armagh county title, have also been successful exponents of the dual club-county commitments.

Fitzpatrick, though only recently turned 22, has already won an incredible seven All-Ireland hurling titles - two each at minor, under-21 and senior level, and also the club title last March with his native Ballyhale. An obvious candidate for both burnout and frustration with fixture congestion, Fitzpatrick remains as motivated as ever - which he needs to be, given Ballyhale will this Sunday defend that All-Ireland title with a Kilkenny semi-final against James Stephens, the champions of 2005.

"Obviously winning makes a big difference," says Fitzpatrick. "It does make it all worthwhile, when you win matches, get the results at the end of it. Definitely winning the club title was right up there with winning with the county. To think a small parish, of 800 people, can come from grassroots level right up to the top of the pile.

"In fairness, Brian Cody and the Kilkenny trainers are very conscious about over-training players. All during the year they didn't ever overdo it, giving us a break all the time. And there was a very good understanding with our club manager.

"Naturally, you do get a little fatigued, a little stale, at certain times of the year. But if you get a good performance, that gets the confidence, and keeps things fresh. But generally speaking, it's definitely an issue, especially for younger players. It needs to be sorted out. I know when I was 18, I was involved with loads of different teams. And after minor I went straight on to the seniors.

"There were times I found it hard to keep going. But the other thing was sometimes you'd go back to a different manager, and he wouldn't know what you'd done with the other teams. That, I think, is changing, and even by highlighting the issue it is being tackled. I think all the different managers are taking more notice what players are doing with other teams."

What probably saved Fitzpatrick from the full brunt of burnout was the fact he wasn't being hassled for football duties: "True, that probably would have made it unbearable. I suppose I'm lucky we don't contest football at a high level in Kilkenny . . . I just wouldn't have the time."

However, Fitzpatrick was still reticent about backing the new under-19 championship, combining the current minor and under-21 grade, and which was one of the main recommendations of the burnout task force: "I've been lucky enough to win two minor titles, and two under-21s. And to go to win two seniors. So from my own point of view it has been a good system.

"There are definitely pros and cons. Maybe they should give a trial run for the two years, because no one really knows how it's going to go until they try. But then it would be the only stepping-stone to senior level. Going from 19 to senior level is a massive step, and from minor, to under-21, to senior, is more of a gradual step. So maybe the way it is right now is more seamless."

Yet clearly he feels the issue of fixture congestion, which ultimately hinders the club scene, should be the priority: "I know during the summer a lot of our club players were on an edge. There were no games being played in July and August, no championship anyway.

So they're waiting around, not knowing when they're going to play next. That's why a lot of the lads went off to America for the summer. So I definitely agree with contracting the whole club thing, and giving more space to club time. Also having more extra-time in championship matches is a good thing."

While Crossmaglen are already through to the Ulster championship in their quest to defend the club football title, Fitzpatrick is not looking beyond Sunday's semi-final, not least because Ballyhale are without their other star Henry Shefflin.

"He's a huge loss, and of course you'd notice that he's not there. In some ways though all the other players raise their game, like in our quarter-final. It would be unbelievable if we could do it without Henry. The fact is we are All-Ireland champions, but you just can't think about that, or you'll lose your head altogether."