Chink of light as Varadkar opens the door to games

SO it looks like there may be a plan for the country – even though no one is prepared to nail the colours to the mast just yet. Last weekend Leo Varadkar told the nation on The Late Late Show that there may well be light at the end of what is beginning to seem like a very long and dark tunnel.

For two weeks more we were to stay locked down (with some minor adjustments) however from that point on (May 18) things were about to get better. Construction, golf, tennis and a few other things would get the green light (with restrictions of course), but all would agree that some step forward, no matter how small, is better than nothing.

As the leader of our nation continued through his hastily unfolded and crumpled piece of paper things began to become clearer, but as is often the case, an ill-advised, off the cuff comment to Ryan Tubridy set alarm bells ringing in GAA households up and down the land.

The Taoiseach stated: “There’s a possibility of an All-Ireland this year”. He quickly followed that up with a couple of clarifications, “obviously that’s a matter for the GAA,” before landing the kicker “not with spectators” (obviously) “but it could be done.”

“I think it’s possible. You’d be talking August and September. It’d be a later calendar than we’re used to.”

So, there it is, the Taoiseach threw the GAA a lifeline, but it appears that he may not have given the heads up to Croke Park before he did it and he definitely didn’t consult with the GPA (Gaelic Players Association) who would obviously have a major say in what happens on the pitch this year.

It didn’t take long for responses to arrive with Mayo’s Aidan

O’Shea quick off the mark to throw cold water on a full return to play with the star footballer pointing out that club may well be the best route back.

“It wouldn’t be my preference” said O’Shea.

“I’m desperate to get back playing football. It’s very hard at the moment but I think we need to be realistic and take the experts’ advice over the next number of weeks.”

O’Shea added “I think the club scene is probably more realistic right now. I think it’s probably closer on the horizon, I think that is where the focus should be. If we have a Championship this year, wonderful, but if not we have to move on to next year. But get back to the club scene, get club games going, that’d be massive for everyone.”

Another name, (from a totally different perspective) that threw cold water on potential plans was last year’s All-Ireland Final referee, David Gough, Gough stated on 2fm’s Game On: “I’d have to sit down and have a long think about it. At the moment, I would say no.

“I’d have to see what developments are made between now and July, but certainly we’re not going to have a vaccine in place by July.”

The GPA is likely to conduct a poll of its members in the coming weeks to get a less anecdotal view however the likelihood is that there will be plenty players on either side of the debate – but even if the vast majority express an interest in returning to action this season any kind of objection could supper any inter-county return – even one behind closed doors.

So, will we see an All-Ireland this season? Well, the odds definitely shortened last Friday night but from where I am sitting the odds are still well against an inter-county captain climbing the steps at Croker to collect either Liam or Sam this side of the New Year.