The GAA will come out of this bigger, fitter and stronger and will be there for the people...
RIGHT now, it feels like a winter mirage, the image shimmering in the December distance of a player walking up the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Tantalising yet out of reach. Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy admits that it will be a surreal experience if the Hurling Championship reaches its scheduled end point, and Seamus Callanan – or whoever proves to be the winning captain lifts that trophy – to a Croke Park without supporters.
‘I remember back in 2010, I think that was the first year there was no crowd allowed onto the pitch. It was only ourselves with our family members. At the time I was saying, “God wouldn’t you love to be swarmed” but it was actually a lovely, special time to be with the players and you got a chance to engage with everyone and give them the embrace.
‘I think whoever gets to the fortunate position of getting up those steps and getting hands on it, I think they will be more than happy even if there is nobody in the stands. What every player craves is that All-Ireland victory.
‘It’s lovely to have your family and your supporters there but ultimately there will be enough time building up to Christmas if we have a bit of normality after lockdown if we get the chance.’
That first coming as Tipperary manager led to hurling’s ultimate prize a decade ago and his second stint has already yielded that most cherished of silverware.
As Tipperary prepare to start their All-Ireland defence with a Munster semi-final against Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this afternoon, can he see a day when Croke Park is packed again and the cup is lifted to a full house?
‘Yeah. Where we’d all love to be is sitting there, either watching the match as a spectator or standing on the sideline as a manager and knowing the place is full. The atmosphere, the build-up, the walking out onto the pitch, the announcing of the teams, the music – it’s the occasion every bit as much as the match.
‘Unfortunately, we’ve just got to go with the match at the moment. The occasion has to take a bit of a back seat.
‘The players love showing what they can do when the stands are full. When their family and county is getting in behind them.
‘It’s not going to happen in 2020 but please God, if it does open up some time in the next 12 to 18 months, I think the crowd and the demand that you’ll have will honestly be incredible. And, being honest, I long for that day. Because I do think our sport is best served when it’s played out good and honest between two teams and people roaring their hearts out for their chosen cause.’
He doesn’t need to be reminded of the emotion of big match day. The sense of family and friends and community and the ties that bind a county team. At the final whistle of last year’s rollercoaster ride of an All-Ireland semi-final when Tipp stormed from five points down – and a man down – against Wexford to win, he was photographed just after the final whistle in an emotional embrace with his two daughters Aisling and Gemma.
After the final itself, his wife Margaret was able to join them for a family portrait with the spoils of victory – the MacCarthy Cup shining in their joint grip.
The bigger picture has always interested him. It’s why he made the short list for the GAA’s top role of director general and was appointed chair of Sport Ireland’s highperformance committee. Speaking exclusively to the Irish Mail on Sunday, he feels that this winter All-Ireland will be unique and special – as long as no team has to drop out.
‘Once you’re not into people not being able to field or matches not being able to be played – the only thing that could tarnish it is that if ultimately you had to have teams withdrawing because they couldn’t fulfil a fixture due to Covid.
‘I think that would devalue it. But provided the full round of matches goes ahead and everybody is able to come to the table, then I think it will be one that will be remembered.
‘We’re very fortunate. There’s a real competitiveness to the Munster Championship and Leinster Championship.
‘The Last Chance Saloon then in the qualifiers where you go from six to two to get back in is going to be treacherous as well. I think it will be valued every bit as much. There’s
10 teams going to go at it, two teams going to win provincial titles and one team going to win the big prize – I think every one of those medals will be hotly contested and highly sought after. When you get to the stage of a quarter to four and the match is throwing in, at that stage Covid is left outside for that period of the game. Then you step back into the normal world again.
‘The biggest risk is probably what we’ve seen already with some counties. For me, if I have close contacts now, through their work – and they have got to work, they can’t put themselves in a bubble – you could potentially end up losing a number of players as close contacts where they have to self-isolate for two weeks.
‘That’s probably the biggest risk.’ The country’s first lockdown and the return to a Level 5 state of existence has raised the same questions about sport.
For so many involved, it’s not so much a question of putting sport in perspective but showing how sport is bound up in so many people’s identity id and day-to-day existence. Sheedy Sh is conscious, though, of the questioning qu attitude and feels it’s healthy he in some ways.
‘The health and wellbeing of our nation n is paramount. Part of our culture is that sporting ethos that runs through a number of us. I’ve said it openly – sport is not for everybody. e Some people just love the th fresh air of walking. And that’s fine, fin it’s whatever people like to do.
‘ Certainly, the GAA, it is part of our ou culture. It is part of who we are and an what we do. And for the ones that are bitten by the bug, it’s something we really do cherish.
‘I think the GAA has been really strong in the community throughout this. And I think the GAA will come back bigger, fitter and stronger and will be there for the people. If we could get to the other side and get our games played and the crowds back, I think there remains in Ireland a massive appetite for Gaelic games.’
Of course he’s noticed the GAAbashing around the exemption for elite sport and the green light for the All-Ireland Championship when so much of the rest of the economy and society is shuttered. He’s well aware of the criticism around club championships and the linking to various community outbreaks.
He senses the spotlight on the inter-county scene, can it work in light of everything that is going on in the country right now?
‘I think we have to understand that
‘WHEN IT OPENS UP,
THE DEMAND WILL BE INCREDIBLE’
‘WE WILL GIVE UP ON IT IF THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE IS IN JEOPARDY’
people will always give you perspective. And the reality is for people who aren’t closely attached to the sport, they see the country in lockdown and wonder why they’re still trying to persevere with Gaelic games – it’s good to understand that perspective. We always need to be conscious that every decision we make needs to be in the best interests of the Irish people.
‘It’s trying to find the balance. It’s not about trying to put sport against any other aspect. What the GAA is trying to do is find a way to play the games in a really safe environment. And if it gets to the stage where the safety of the players and their families is being compromised or jeopardised, that’s ultimately where we will have to give up and say we won’t be able to play the games.
‘But if everybody does their best – and in fairness, the way the players are managing their contacts, the way they are carrying themselves overall is very good – it gives us a real chance.’