Support for players sought
Fitzgerald feels GAA could be doing more to offer hope
WITH CLUBS struggling to have their voices heard, Wexford Senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald is pleading to have their grounds re-opened just to offer people ‘hope’, while also calling on the GAA to offer more support to its players.
Fitzgerald feels it would be a massive boost to the youth to be able to go to their club grounds in order to puck or kick a ball around, or even carry out some coaching sessions in allowed pods.
Always a strong advocate of opening GAA grounds and a return to play, going back to the first lockdown last spring, Fitzgerald is adamant there is more advantages than disadvantages to doing both over the coming weeks.
He is also in favour of the earliest possible return to inter-county training.
Clearly disappointed with the news that it could now be April before training with Wexford resumes, coming on the back of so many other different start-up dates that didn’t materialise, Fitzgerald believes money is now an issue, particularly with no crowds allowed at games.
However, he is calling on the authorities to recognise the value of exercise to children in controlled numbers, along with the importance of inter-county games to supporters, particularly those who for one reason or another are unable to attend games even if allowed.
‘Last year live games meant so much to so many people, particularly those in hospital or nursing homes, or even at home recuperating.
‘They were so important through those club and inter-county months and it should not be forgotten,’ he said.
‘I’m finding it hard to understand what is happening on a couple of points.
‘You take a four- or five-acre field and a bunch of Under-14s. It’s not a classroom. You can’t compare that to an outdoor environment.
‘You don’t have to have contact training, just allow them do something. Give them that bit of exercise together, the chance to socialise, and also to give their parents a break.
‘If the parents want to take their children down to the local pitch to have a puck around, they should be allowed to.
‘And I’m just disappointed that we can’t make life a little easier for people, and life easier for the Government, by giving people some hope.
‘You can’t just segregate GAA from rugby and soccer. It might not be professional but I think we have shown we can run the three safely.
‘If case numbers went way back up,
I’d say pull it, but the way it is now, you’re not giving anyone any hope and I think it can be done in a safe environment as it has been done before.’
Fitzgerald does not see any reason why the Allianz Leagues cannot start next month.
‘I have met a lot of older people who have enjoyed sitting in and having the games to watch in the evenings or weekends over the winter months.
‘That made a difference. I am totally aware that there are a lot of people involved with the clubs, and as the year goes on we will get back to the clubs, but it’s safer now to go with inter-county.
‘Now, there might be a money issue, because it takes money to run teams. Hopefully the Government will give a small bit of help towards that.
‘If you’re looking at entertainment there is rugby and soccer, but the GAA gives entertainment too,’ he added.
‘I understand the GAA are being very careful, but I still feel they could be doing more for their players.
‘Getting the young players out would be good for their physical well-being, while it would also be good for the mental health of those coaching them. I feel very sorry for the players at the moment.
‘From an inter-county perspective, I am only able to deal with them on a oneto-one basis. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for the players and coaches, trying to maintain a programme of training.
‘The players have been given so many different dates for a return. It’s becoming more and more difficult for the players to maintain an appetite, particularly at present when we have no idea when we can return to training as a squad.
‘Last year we had a reduced National League. I think the National League should be played. Players have missed out on so much up to now, over what is now a second year.
‘We can still play inter-county and club, we showed that last year, but the GAA should now be supporting the players.’