The most welcome ray of light

IT’S great to see our games coming back much quicker than the GAA lead us all to believe.

I’m delighted with that news while also a little confused.

John Horan’s (above) original comments were that there would be no return as long as there is social distancing.

And last Sunday, GAA Covid-19 advisory group member Dick Clerkin’s remarks were in a similar vein.

Listening to both men you were almost certain we would see very little action – if any – this year.

But it’s amazing the difference a few days can make and let’s hope the GAA have everything in place for the club player – the same way they will have for the inter-county player.

I await those efforts with bated breath.

As far as the county game is concerned, has Croke Park given proper consideration to the 57 per cent of county players who said they had no interest in playing games behind closed doors with no supporters?

The only way their wishes will be met is if all inter-county games are held at Headquarters, with 10,00020,000 people in attendance – and remember, the break-even figure for using Croke Park is 30,000.

Can they afford to lose big money by opening up the stadium up to tiny crowds?

I sincerely hope it’s all fully thought through because there seems to be a drastic change in attitude to getting back to play.

My old team-mate Colm O’rourke was right Iast Sunday in saying it was time to start freeing things up.

I’m absolutely thrilled now, given the original reluctance by the GAA hierarchy.