JOHN SAVAGE
LOUTH GAA chairman Peter Fitzpatrick has called on Croke Park to abandon the inter-county season so that the Association can concentrate on club activity for whatever might be left of the 2020 campaign.
GAA President John Horan has pledged to postpone inter-county action until at least October, with club competitions due to resume sooner if possible, but Fitzpatrick wants the top brass to go a step further.
‘I’ve asked for clarity from Croke Park, particularly in relation to the National League,’ he says. ‘The LGFA took decisive action some time ago and cancelled their leagues and we’re just seeking clarity one way or the other.
‘I think we have an opportunity to put the grassroots of the Association front and centre again and I think we should make the call now.
‘I think we should call off the 2020 Championship and allow inter-county players go back to their clubs and give them 100 per cent.
‘We can come back in 2021. Louth GAA is already down €160,000 from the crisis, so we need an opportunity to claw that back with club championships.’
Fitzpatrick envisages being able to run the 2020 Championships as planned if clubs are back playing by the end of August or early September, but if it’s any later than that he admits competition formats may need to be tweaked.
He said the County Board would consult clubs in relation to any potential changes.
It now seems likely that even if the all-county leagues get the green light, they would resume without the spectre of promotion or relegation and divisions may be split into two groups of six.
However, Fitzpatrick feels getting some sort of Championship played should be the priority.
‘First and foremost we have to be sure players and supporters feel safe and secure. If that’s possible then we will look at scheduling the Championships. That’s the priority now.’