‘Safety is a priority’
“THE health and safety of the public is the main thing during this Covid-19 pandemic. We simply can’t take chances.” Sligo GAA Chairman Brendan Leonard took part in a series of conference calls between chairpersons from every county and the President of the GAA, John Horan, last Wednesday. After the meeting, a press release issued from the GAA ruled out any inter-county games taking place before October and all activities have been further suspended until July 20th at the earliest.
Speaking on The Sunday Game, the Association’s President, John Horan, outlined to the programme that he doesn’t foresee any Gaelic games taking place when social distancing measures are being observed.
The Dublin native also indicated that he has a bit of an issue with the concept of playing games behind closed doors, adding that it was a struggle to see the league being finished.
Mr Leonard said he reiterates everything the GAA President is saying in relation to what steps should be taken.
“The safety of everyone is a priority. We had the meeting on Wednesday and he heard the views of what all the chairpersons think.”
Mr Horan also indicated that the onus of ensuring clubs and counties are adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines will be taken out of the hands from the Association’s volunteers. This was something Mr
Leonard said he was very much in agreement of. “It is great relief for the volunteers and indeed me as well.”
He added that it is difficult to predict whether Gaelic games will be taking place after the July 20th timeframe. “You see the likes of the Ploughing Championships in September being called off so it will be hard to see much football being played.
“There will be nothing until after July 20th anyhow and then it will be reviewed. I can’t really see the inter-county championship going ahead.
“No one is really feeling that it would work behind closed doors and I don’t blame them.
“The GAA President is not in favour of it and I don’t think it would work.
“It is looking likely that the clubs will be back first and we will be notified when that happens. We will have to wait and see. Hopefully people keep up the good work, Sligo has been doing quite well at keeping it (Covid-19) away from Sligo and hopefully that stays the case.
“We will just have to wait and see what comes after July 20th,” he added.