GAA fans up in arms over new Covid restrictions
SAYING THAT MATCHES NOW HAVE TO BE PLAYED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL ... THIS IS RIDICULOUS
GAA fans, players, mentors - even a government TD - were left scratching their heads in consternation at the government’s new Covid-19 restrictions which included the banning of spectators at GAA matches.
While the government move came amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases nationally, the GAA community were left asking: where is the evidence that our carefully co-ordinated matches have added anything to the rise in cases?
The PRO of Munster Council GAA, Bob Ryan, told The Corkman that the revised restrictions on sporting activity “make no sense” and has called on the Government to re-think its whole strategy in relation to addressing Covid-19.
“Saying that matches now have to be played behind closed doors makes no sense at all,” he said. “Hurling and football matches can go ahead, but parents and guardians will have to stand outside the walls. This is ridiculous.
“In my opinion, there will, in all likelihood, be less social distancing outside the walls than on the pitch side. That’s just one example of how farcical the situation has become.”
In a strongly worded interview with this newspaper, Fianna Fail TD Michael Moynihan said: “To have no spectators at a match? I can’t for the life of me understand the logic behind that.
“I want to know why this decision was made and what is the reasoning for it?”
Sentiments echoed by Knocknagree’s John Fintan Daly, who said ‘it’s all optics .. to show that they are going something’.
County chairperson Tracey Kennedy and Kanturk’s Francis Kenneally also joined the chorus of disappointment, with Mr Kenneally saying: “The decisions of Tuesday were totally bewildering”.
“THE decision of government to play all matches behind closed doors is bewildering and the lack of clarity and reasoning behind it is most disappointing.”
That was the view of the PRO of Kanturk GAA Club, Mr Francis Kenneally, following the announcement of new Covid-10 restriction by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Tuesday.
“I think the government is doing themselves no favours by not outlining the data which would back up their decisions,” said Mr Kenneally.
“The people of Ireland have been very understanding and supportive in the most part in doing what has been asked of them by the government but the lack of clarity is damaging and is baffling.”
Mr Kenneally, who is also the proprietor of the Central Stores in Kanturk, said there were wider issues to be considered byond the sport alone.
“I think there is a wider issue that needs to be considered which the government needs to take into consideration before the government arrives at a decision. that being people’s mental health.
“With the local pubs closed, for many who were fortunate to access tickets to attend hurling and football games, this was their only outlet to meet friends and neighbours at the match. If anything, the government should have been increasing the number of people allowed to attend games to 200, excluding the teams, management, referee and his officials.”
Mr Kenneally concludede by saying: “The decisions of Tuesday were totally bewildering”.