Footballers stay on top of fitness
SLIGO Senior football captain Paddy O’Connor says he and his teammates are doing all they can to keep in shape in anticipation of a return to action.
When the GAA can resume activities at either club or county level remains unclear, and indications from senior government and Department of Health sources continue to suggest that any form of mass gatherings in 2020 are unlikely.
In last weekend’s Sunday Independent, Health Minister Simon Harris appeared to pour cold water on the suggestion that sport, as we know it, could resume later this year.
He was quoted as saying it is ‘highly unlikely’ that mass gatherings of any sort will take place this year.
This, presumably, includes the GAA football and hurling programme.
His comments came after a series of GAA meetings at various levels last week. Paddy O’Connor, as Sligo captain, was part of a Gaelic Players Association (GPA) conference call with other captains from around the country, and the St Farnan’s club man says the mood was generally good towards a return to play.
“It was fairly positive,” Paddy told The Sligo Champion.
“There was no mention anyway of games not being played. It was said that it could be the case that club returns before county.
“They were also talking about injury prevention and how there should be a minimum of four weeks before teams go back into a game.”
The issue of a period for teams to prepare adequately for whatever competition - if any - takes place this year has been a matter of much debate.
The general consensus, at least from the players side, appears to be that a four-week training block prior to any competitive action is required.
“I think that [four weeks] is the minimum,” Paddy said.
“In an ideal case you’d have six weeks, but it depends on when we can get back. If it’s late September, then four weeks would be OK but if we were allowed go back earlier than that maybe six weeks could work. It’s seems to be what we’re all looking for.”
The format of any competition that takes place post-coronavirus is likely to deviate significantly from those of recent years, but whatever the scenario, O’Connor is keen to see the Allianz Leagues played to a conclusion.
“They are looking to play out the league. It could even be played after championship or early next year.
“Obviously we’re still in a good position and if we win our last two games we’ll be promoted so we are hoping they will play the league.”
O’Connor also addressed the issue of games potentially being played behind closed doors - a scenario which has gained traction in some quarters.
“If it came to it, I’d be in favour of it,” he says.
“It is better than having no football at all. But it is probably not a viable option with the gates the GAA need, and also the issue of 30 players being in a dressing room together.”
In terms of staying fit, one of the most challenging aspects of it all - for club and county players - is the need to keep in shape despite not knowing when action will return.
Nonetheless, O’Connor says he and his teammates are working away on their own to ensure that when they are called upon again, they will be in prime condition.
“We are trying to get through what we can within our own 2 kilometres - running on the roads and doing the gym work. We’ve been in contact with each other but it’s hard when you don’t know the timeframe.
“If we knew when we were going back it’d be easier to stay motivated, but we’re doing what we can.”
The Sligo captain is also using the time to encourage youngsters across the county to enhance their skills via tips on social media, where the response has been excellent to videos from O’Connor and other Sligo GAA figures.
“It’s been good. It’s a big thing on the likes of Instagram and social media. One of the benefits of this is that you have the time to work on your weaknesses, whether they be physically or with the ball.”