Looking after clubs must be top of the Croke Park agenda

WHILE THE primary issue will not be just getting clubs, but more importantly, society as a whole, back on track, one can only be full of praise for the manner in which counties and clubs have reacted to the shutdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

With so many businesses closed, and thousands out of work, one was heartened by the G.A.A’s understanding of the bigger picture.

The G.A.A. has issued a directive stressing a blanket ban on the use of all facilities. In normal circumstances, especially with summer time having arrived over the weekend, one would see all grounds full of adults and under-age players alike, getting in the mood for the active months ahead.

But that is a ‘no-go’ for a number of weeks or perhaps months, leaving clubs to think ahead as to what the future holds for 2020.

The lack of certainty and an endpoint to the coronavirus outbreak is hampering all attempts to set a return date to normal activity, but the Government’s latest decision for a total lockdown is the right one.

There is always hope, but it’s now accepted that the virus epidemic will take us through some three months from when it first hit the country, with a return to normal activity, particularly of a sporting nature, not expected in reality until late July or early August at the least.

There is hope that the season can get back on track in late summer, but right now we are operating on a one day at a time basis.

We know things change, but it is going to take time, and considerable time, before one sees a return to normal activity, let alone club action.

The seasons have become long and drawn out, starting off in December with subsidiary inter-county competitions, followed by the Allianz Leagues, leading into the inter-county championships.

During that period just one month (April) is allotted for club championship activity. Already the clubs were under pressure, but 2020 could be a defining year for the club - not knowing when, and even if, any club activity will take place until later in the year, as it is so reliant on working around he inter-county programme, both adult and under-age.

This is a crisis for the G.A.A. clubs, as it could have severe implications for their future both on the pitch and financially.

No doubt once there is a return to sporting activity, the emphasis will be on inter-county, namely the championship coupled with the completion of the Allianz Leagues, both in hurling and football.

So in the shortened timeframe, the G.A.A. calendar will come in for much scrutiny, but with only so many months left to fit everything in, it is an unenviable task facing those in charge of fixtures.

It will be a much-changed G.A.A. format one will witness for 2020. One of the major questions facing the G.A.A. is how they will cater for the club player. While every effort will be made to get society back on track, making sure everyone is fit and healthy after what has been the most extraordinary circumstances in our lifetime, it will also be deemed important to have the county return to normal sporting activity.

But in 2020 the G.A.A. will have major decisions to make. Perhaps this is the year when club and inter-county activity will have to be played side by side, with no cushion periods allotted to facilitate inter-county preparations.

Midweek will have to be utilised perhaps for club activity, subject to the inter-county format, which is hugely important at this stage.

Present championship formats are likely to end in the dustbin, with knockout championships, or a possible back door, likely to be introduced.

A little matter that has come up for much discussion is the possibility of clubs having to play domestic championships without their inter-county players, with a provision of no promotion or relegation for 2020.

It’s an alternative worthy of consideration for those genuine club players starved of action. It’s drastic measure such as this that may be needed to keep the clubs active and save them into the future.

Whatever decisions are arrived at over the coming weeks, the G.A.A. club should top the list of consideration at the highest level in Croke Park.

It’s hugely important for the future of the Association that the club is protected. Without the club, inter-county activity would gradually die away.

It’s that important.