There are still some question marks over 2022 game

AS nice as it has been this week to look forward to Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide, and to celebrate the two people chosen to turn up the ball in 2022, we can’t completely ignore the elephant in the room.

Although we’ve made little mention of it in our exclusive interview stories on pages two and three, we’re well aware that the Covid-19 pandemic could still have some surprises in store.

Even before Omicron arrived to put a mutant spanner in the works, there has been a big question mark hanging over the game next year.

Shrovetide, by its very nature, doesn’t lend itself well to social distancing, or hands, face, space, and the luncheon as we know it is hardly an exercise in responsible gathering.

Even if omicron has run its course by Shrove Tuesday, there could be lingering supply problems for the luncheon caused by staff isolation, and there could be enough concern over health service data to make holding a huge event, even outdoors, rather irresponsible.

But there are a few things offering hope. Shrovetide is unusually late this year, it starts as March begins, so there’s plenty of time for Omicron to have its wicked way with us and then leave us to get on with life again.

There also seems to be a new emphasis on personal responsibility. This could mean that if people are worried about mixing, they could leave Shrovetide alone for a year, or at least watch from a safe distance in their own space.

Either way, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. Here’s to a new year of optimism, of prosperity, and of the end of restrictions. Here’s hoping we can be back out there playing our wonderful game again in a few months’ time.