Hurling’s not the priority
Fitzgerald accepts it’s a waiting game until crisis eases
WEXFORD SENIOR hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald has asked the powers that be to wait a while longer before deciding on a championship format.
And he doesn’t agree with calls for a premature ending to the Allianz League, noting that it would only take three weekends to complete the competition.
‘There’s enough weekends before the end of the year to have it completed,’ he insisted.
As the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, Fitzgerald stressed that hurling is very much at the back of his mind, adding that the games rightfully need to take a back seat for the next while.
‘People are very worried, there’s people out of work not sure of their future, many having to take a cut in pay cheque,’ he said.
‘These are worrying times for people, much more important than sport at the moment. Look, there is a blanket ban on sport, so it’s a waiting game.
‘Right now it’s more important that people are safe and come out on the right side of this,’ he added.
With the complete lockdown of all G.A.A. activity, Fitzgerald - like his fellow managers - has to deal with the situation as best he can.
‘We have given the players individual programmes which they carry out on their own. They are being monitored by our backroom coaches, so everyone will know where they are once they return,’ he said.
‘It’s not easy, even more difficult with the latest G.A.A. guidelines where club pitches and facilities are completely closed down.
‘Individual players cannot even use their own club facilities, gym or pitch, but that’s the way it is. We have to abide by the guidelines.
‘It’s important that we as an Association show leadership which is what the G.A.A. is doing,’ Fitzgerald added.
The Sixmilebridge man feels that it’s now important for everyone to wait for the further guidelines.
‘We expect more information on April 19, but until then it’s of little advantage discussing championships, and championship formats.
‘Really, any championship format depends very much on when the ban on sporting activity is lifted. The longer it goes on, the more people will be looking at different formats,’ he agreed.
‘But as of now I have not really thought about a championship format. There’s not much point until we have a start back date, that will decide everything.
‘I have given no consideration as to whether you go with the present format, or have a knockout at provincial level, or an open draw. I have not really thought about it.
‘I take it that Croke Park will discuss it with the counties when the time is right.’
The match against Galway that seemed so important a few weeks ago now has to be measured against the loss of life since.
‘Look, there are worried people out there. That has to take priority. Games will come in the future, but we have to make sure that as many people as we can remain safe and healthy,’ Fitzgerald added.
Meanwhile, former Wexford Senior football manager Liam Fardy is also hoping that the Allianz League will be completed at some stage this year, given that the county is still in with a realistic chance of promotion from Division 4.
‘The players had been training non-stop up to this cut-off point. I am always amazed at the amount of time the players put in,’ he said.
‘They are amateurs, but they are treated as professionals, so if the G.A.A. want it this way they should be paying the players.
‘They have no leisure time of their own, they are on special diets, cannot have a drink after a game. It’s lockdown for the players all the time.’
Given the crisis, Fardy has called for a change to the championship format.
‘I would go with the Centenary Cup model of 1984 where all 32 counties went into an open draw. It would be worthwhile experimenting with it. Eventually that is the way the championship will go,’ he added.
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