Break could be positive when normality returns

THE break in sporting activity until March 29, due to fears related to the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Ireland, may well end up working in Wicklow’s favour because of the reduced waiting period between games, according to Wicklow ladies manager Mark Murnaghan.

Before the blanket ban on sport was enforced by the varying governing bodies, including the GAA, LGFA, Camogie Association, FAI, and IRFU, to curtail and slow down the spread of the virus – which has killed over 5,000 people since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019 – Wicklow were to play Roscommon and Fermanagh in their final two games of the league season. They would then wait a further couple of months until their Leinster Junior championship final against Carlow, at the end of June.

However, should the schedule recommence from March 29,

Wicklow would still have their final pair of Division 3 games, before a reduced delay to the provincial championship. Sensing the rose behind the thorns, Murnaghan indicated that – best case scenario – the compressed schedule may be a net positive for his team.

‘We could see it happening. It had to be done and I think that it was the right decision, health-wise, and probably suits us in the long run, because after the league, we have a 10 or 12-week break until the Leinster championship.

‘It kind of pushes it back in the long run that our last league game could be about six weeks before it, so it is a benefit for us. We have the girls doing home programmes. There are no group meetings or anything. They are doing their own thing.’

While there remains a comprehensive prohibition when it comes to group or team activities – such as matches, challenges, meetings, trainings, etc. – Murnaghan said that the players would continue to keep fit through individual programmes, such as 5k runs, before insisting that they were not to meet in large groups to do so. He also said that, above all else, the health and wellbeing of the players was of paramount importance.

‘We have a couple of them doing 5k runs and just doing running sessions. We have told them not to go in more than three or four groups but, in fairness, they are doing all they can away from the group, so we just have to keep ticking away and it gives me a bit of time to do some planning going forward. It is what it is. We will just get on with it when it starts back up.

‘If things get worse, people’s health is the main thing. Football kind of takes a back seat but when it starts back up, we will be ready to go again. It is just a pity because we were carrying a bit of momentum from the Sligo and Down games when it took a break, but look it, if the players are fit and healthy, that is the main thing.’