‘We can’t hold back North’

WITH the vaccination rollout continuing at a different pace in Northern Ireland, it’s quite possible that the Northern Ireland Executive will allow for the return of sporting activity at a date in March, ahead of the Irish Government. While the GAA has stuck up to this point to an allisland approach, Mike Quirke says it’s hard to see an insistence of keeping club gates closed in the Six Counties if sport is given the green light for a cautious return. ‘With the North? I don’t think they should be punished for the UK being brilliant in terms of the vaccination programme. I don’t think they should be held back.

‘We wouldn’t like to be in a position of being told we can’t get out on the field and train if we were all vaccinated. As soon as they can get back, they should be let out on the field. ‘Inter-county complicates it a bit. You’re looking at teams who will invariably be training and playing ahead of you. That’s a bit further down the line. It’s not ideal – but none of this situation is ideal.’