We have to return on an all-island basis: Woods
Ulster PRO wants everyone back, as counties hope to land more funding
ULSTER GAA chiefs remain hopeful that the government in the Republic, in tandem with Sport Ireland, will provide further funding to facilitate the return of inter-county action across the island.
With fundraising ventures having been negated to a large extent by the Covid-19 pandemic and spectators banned from games, the majority of county boards have continued to experience a significant drop-off in finances.
The first tranche of funding from the Sports Sustainability Fund at Stormont has been allocated, and this will help the Ulster Council in the difficult task of rebounding from the hardships posed by Covid-19.
But it’s an anticipated cash injection from the Republic’s government that would undoubtedly prove central to the successful resumption of inter-county action.
Last year, €15m (£12.8m) was made available to help reignite the season and was deployed in helping counties prepare for and engage in action.
The GAA Covid Special Advisory Group is continuing to monitor the current impact of the pandemic and, while some encouragement is being taken in relation to falling case numbers, there are concerns over what are viewed as black spots on the island as a whole and misgivings in relation to the roll-out of vaccinations in the Republic.
The fact that April 12 has been set as a provisional date for a resumption of outdoor training in groups of up to 15 north of the border has spawned hopes that inter-county action might get under way in mid-may.
Both Ulster Council CEO Brian Mcavoy and PRO Declan Woods have affirmed that a return to action on a 32-county basis is preferable in order to ensure a smooth completion of the overall fixtures programme.
While the Central Competitions Control Committee has still to outline the revised fixtures format, there are concerns that this may well differ substantially from the original version.
Now confronted by what is undoubtedly a limited timespan given that the All-ireland hurling and football finals must be played by the end of July, it may be decided to prune the planned inter-county itinerary.
On a wider basis embracing the remainder of the year, the task of attempting to squeeze in a four-week minimum pre-season period, an anticipated fiveround Allianz Football League, an All-ireland Football Champi onship with qualifiers, a 14-week club window and a provincial and All-ireland Club series, even if that extends into 2022, is going to prove extremely difficult no matter how you look at it.
Woods laid it firmly on the line in terms of the challenge facing the Association right now.
“It is important that all our units continue to abide by both government and GAA guidelines. To this end it is worth re-stating that all our pitches and indoor facilities remain closed at present,” he pointed out.
“We think it is very important that in relation to a return to play this should be on a 32-county basis.”
Given the uncertainty that continues to prevail and the prospect of perhaps another truncated season, a number of pundits have been expressing fears that the pandemic could continue to impact heavily on the GAA going forward.
But it’s well-known RTE commentator Ger Canning who perhaps best puts things in perspective.
“I’m heartened that a longterm plan for the Football Championship will not be put in place until the proposed autumn Special Congress,” stressed Canning.
“I think that, in the interim, delegates in particular will have time to develop their thinking and have a proper debate. I don’t think we have had a proper discussion about what we want to see after the pandemic.”
And outgoing Gaelic Players’ Association chief executive officer Paul Flynn makes it clear just what he feels is a priority right now.
“I think managers and players would like to see a clearly defined plan in relation to the return to action. In this respect, it means that all parties involved — the governments, the GAA, the players’ body — must be together,” insisted Flynn.
Meanwhile, as county boards watch and wait in relation to procuring extra funding, club lottos continue to do brisk business across the island.
Cavan has offered further evidence that success breeds success.
It’s hardly a coincidence that three clubs in the county, which won the Ulster Senior Football Championship title recently, have just been named among the biggest lotto jackpot prize providers on the island
Ballinagh (€16k/£13,700), Arva (€14,400/£12,330) and Ballyhaise (€13,300/£11,390) are certainly showing the way in terms of generating finance in difficult times as clubs obviously continue to bask in the county team’s stunning provincial triumph of last year.