Davy Burke is concerned about going back too soon

THOSE deliberating the return of GAA action later this year are being ‘naïve’ by not taking the impact of matches on the health and welfare of players into account, according to Wicklow Senior football manager, Davy Burke.

Burke claimed that any discussion concerning recommencing club and intercounty leagues and championships have failed to bear in mind the wellbeing of players during matches in which social distancing is not a viable option.

His comments came after the government released a roadmap detailing lifting of restrictions that were enforced to combat the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Ireland.

According to the guidelines, small group training sessions would be permitted from June 8, while ‘behind closed doors’ matches would be permitted from July 20, although all of these would be subject to social distancing.

Speaking to the Wicklow People, however, Burke expressed reservations concerning how social distancing can be adhered to when it comes to players competing on a pitch.

The Kildare native went so far as to accuse GAA and others involved in the decision-making process of being ‘naïve’.

‘‘How can you be a corner-back or a sticky marker, have a man-marking job, and social distance? It is impossible. We’d be in for some very high-scoring games if there is no marking. Social distancing can’t exist, as far as I am aware.

‘I think it has been completely overlooked. I think the players are being taken for granted in that all the players want to play, and the players do want to play, but only if it is safe to do so. Another angle that is not being looked at is where the employers are in all of this.

‘If I am a player and I am going out to play behind closed doors and I am going back into the office on Monday morning, is my employer going to be happy with me?

‘There has been a lot of stuff that has been overlooked: number one, who you have at home and who you are living with, and number two, your employment.’

All in all, Burke welcomed the latest developments with regards to the planned lifting of restrictions.

He said that, while it remains a fragile arrangement, it gives people something to work towards in the weeks and months ahead.

Where the idea of playing ‘behind closed doors’ is concerned, he said that while he wouldn’t be in favour of playing in front of no supporters in regular circumstances, if it meant being able to get back out onto the field, it would be something that he would be willing to accept.

‘There is a pathway to playing again, anyway.

‘We all love football, we love GAA, and we love playing at the end of the day. At the minute, there is nobody to be competitive with out in your own back garden.

‘I think, to be honest with you, people are mad to get back playing.

‘We have a pathway now which is brilliant because there has been a vacuum with no information leading up to this. There is nothing worse than that because people crave information.

‘At least we have a date of July 20, roughly, to work towards and put a plan in place.

‘Getting lads out in small groups, if that is a runner in June, would be hugely beneficial for mental health because of getting lads mixing.

‘Just getting them out in small groups, I am sure that they would be delighted.

I want to just get back playing, If that means playing behind closed doors, then I’d be all for it.

‘Ideally, players will want to play in front of their families and fans, that is what I was brought up on when playing sport.

‘To be honest with you, playing behind closed doors, I wouldn’t be the biggest fan of it, but if it was the only means of championship or national league, then I would be all for doing it.

‘There will be huge measures required from county boards in county grounds and different things with the likes of hygiene. I think there are a hell of a lot of boxes that need to be ticked and things need to be talked about.’