Prospect of G.A.A. matches in 2020 is looking doubtful

DOUBTS PERSIST over whether any G.A.A. action will be held on the pitch in 2020, with only 57% of players surveyed by the Club Players’ Association willing to return to playing or training before a Covid-19 vaccine is in place.

G.A.A. President John Horan is on record as stating that he cannot see any Gaelic games being played at any level while social distancing is in place, explaining that both hurling and football are contact sports.

Club grounds are locked down until July 20, although the opening of playing pitches emerged in phase one of the government’s re-opening plan announced on Thursday, restricted to groups of four people with no contact, and no playing of games.

In his wide-ranging recent interview, the G.A.A. President felt this could lead to an escalation and playing of games behind closed doors.

However, with the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, having already spoken of a possible All-Ireland championship - catching the G.A.A. by surprise in the process - this latest development is now being given consideration by the Association, before any re-opening of club grounds.

Currently no on-field collective training is permitted until July 20 at the earliest, and the survey released by the C.P.A. has illustrated the concerns that exist amongst club players, with 3,008 respondents completing it.

While over half of club players are prepared to return this year, 22% are opposed to such a move, and 21% don’t know at this juncture. Other findings include:

* 61% are prepared to attend club games whilst only 34% are prepared to attend inter-county games.

* 27% of club players live with a person over 70 years of age or a vulnerable individual.

* 64% would train or play if every player and official wore a mask during the game.

Club Players’ Association President, Michael Briody, has responded to the findings.

‘All sporting bodies are faced with the unenviable task of determining when it is safe for their games to resume in light of the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown.

‘The G.A.A., as an amateur body, probably has a more difficult task than most, because their players all work or study, so it is not possible to bubble wrap them between games.

‘Those players will return to their families, workplaces, schools or colleges, and the task of contact tracing becomes more difficult.’

At present it looks as if social distancing is in place until we get a vaccine. So, if social distancing is in place it doesn’t matter if you are club or county.

Over the months many have rejected the argument that returning to action with county games before club carries less risk. But one cannot differentiate between club and inter-county once social distancing is in place.

Some feel that managing the health and safety of several hundred inter-county players would be easier than 2,000 adult players in the county.

But right now it makes no difference as to who returns first as neither club nor county players will be asked to step back inside the whitewash until social distancing is at an end, and it is one hundred per cent safe to engage in contact sports.

It is player welfare at the end of the day that is most important, and if there is contact it doesn’t matter where the game is played, whether it be club or county.

As long as we are advised by the H.S.E., I don’t see any sport taking place in 2020. One can understand the reservations players would have. Player welfare is the priority, and by extension the welfare of families of players.

The G.A.A. is an incredible organisation and a huge part of Irish society. It has deep roots in every community. It brings huge joy to us all and it’s only when it’s gone that we realise what we are missing.

Through the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, the importance of the G.A.A. role in every community across Ireland has been highlighted.

But I would not be overly confident of a return to action before the year is out. I wouldn’t be particularly optimistic after listening to John Horan on ‘The Sunday Game’.