More for clubs to consider than new games structure

G.A.A. CLUBS are facing into a hugely challenging period before any decisions are arrived at with regard to what the future holds for them in 2020. One would love to see a club championship back on, but it has to be more than just agreeing on a format or a start-up date.

There are so many implications, many hurdles, and safety for participants to be considered, before any championship is brought to the table.

Much soul-searching must go into decision-making at club level, made all the more difficult in that, under the current restrictions, club management and players are unable to hold actual meetings or gatherings to discuss a way forward, let alone a championship structure.

This is making decision-making for clubs tough, as they must consider not alone a format for running a championship, but also discuss the availability of club grounds going forward. No doubt, they will be required to reach a standard to meet medical concerns, such as sanitising general facilities and dressing-rooms.

Clubs have been in lockdown since March, a factor that will be taken into account when the County Board meets next week to discuss a championship structure.

This will be foremost in their minds as, whatever format is arrived at could be of huge significance for clubs and could very well decide their destiny for years to come.

Wexford G.A.A. have a championship proposal before clubs. It will be nothing like the championship of old, as the proposal suggests dividing the twelve clubs into four groups of three, to include promotion and relegation.

In the current environment one understands the need to have a championship of sorts, but clubs will no doubt focus on the promotion and relegations issues.

Many clubs feel that those factors belong to their current championship system alone and should not be elevated into a new championship programme, that curtails the number of games.

And with only two group games, it’s not tailor made to include promotion and relegation. For a group of loyal club players to end up in relegation trouble following just two games would not lead to a pleasant environment.

It’s too much to expect in the current situation, particularly when clubs are so unsure as to the availability of players owing to the pandemic, for family or work reasons.

While the clubs are striving for a return to action, any championship should be run off as just a straight knockout, without promotion and relegation, with a hope that one can return to the current championship format in 2021.

It’s the least the clubs and players deserve, as they have been at the lower end of debate when it comes to G.A.A. affairs for so long.

Wexford’s County Secretary, Gearóid Devitt, issued a statement to clubs on Friday last re-affirming the position of the G.A.A.

The statement said the G.A.A. continues to monitor closely the ongoing pandemic and the government’s roadmap relating to the relaxation of restrictions.

The Association notes that they remain in phase one and await an update about a possible move to phase two on June 8, as outlined by the authorities.

The statement added that should the country move to phase two as planned, G.A.A. clubs will be able to re-open designated walking tracks on June 8, subject to engagement with Croke Park around a facilities management plan.

It was emphasised in the statement that the Association does not envisage a return to training in small groups in phase two, and pitches and playing areas are to remain closed.

However, as per the government roadmap, they may be reviewed in phase three. The G.A.A. also confirmed that it will publish its return to safe activity document when the government signals that the country has moved to the second phase of its plan.

This document will require approval from the government’s own expert group on return to sport. This group currently considers Gaelic games a phase four sport.

With an inter-county structure also to consider, clubs could yet be asked to play their championship either side of inter-county activity. That’s not something to look forward to in the depths of winter.