The most popular sports in Ireland are back and will take place in 2020.
Gaelic footballers, hurlers and camogie players have their games back, a welcome structure in their lives again and it has certainly put a big smile back the majority of faces.
It was crucial to the GAA that games were given the go ahead for this year. It will drastically reduce the threat of widescale drop-outs.
The way things have evolved – be it by accident or by extremely clever work by the GAA – there is a wonderful opportunity now to take back control.
The club has clearly been put first now. For this year at least, the club takes prece- dence over the county game and it represents an seismic, modern day shift. County managers and their backroom staff have been put on the back foot. They have very little wriggle room in terms of calling the shots.
The GAA has afforded the county game a tight window – but five weeks of team training before the Championship kicks off on October 17 is enough for any player on any county side.
I’m fascinated to see what effect cutting the lead in time to the county game will have and how the season unfolds.
It may well have no adverse effect and, in fact, enhance the club game.
As of now, county teams can’t get together for collective training until September 14 –yet club teams can start full contact training from July 20, and in smaller groups from June 29.
Usually the situation is completely the opposite way around.
The change will give a great sense of pride and provide a huge lift to clubs to have their main men for almost two months before they head off to the county panel. It’s a powerful shift.
If GAA chiefs have the nerve and the conviction to stick with it, the precedent they’re setting this year could change the landscape of Gaelic Games with the clubs the big winners.
l know the virus dictated this change to a certain extent but the clubs now need the GAA to give them the respect they deserve. Isn’t it just mighty to have our games back – and with the clubs spearheading the return.
O'Brien resignation a massive loss for Carlow
There was one resignation during the lockdown – and it was a big surprise to see the charismatic turlough o’Brien step down after six years in charge of Carlow.
He enjoyed some great success with a county that has struggled for years to make a real impact – gaining promotion and beating Kildare in the Championship were exceptional days for such a football mad county.
it was a testament to the man that he clearly put the county before himself and his wish to finish out the year.
Most other managers would have held on – but turlough weighed up what is best for Carlow and knew it would be much more difficult for them to find a manager in December as the Championship may go into the early part of next year.
So hats off to one of the most unselfish gestures by any modern manager. Here’s one man who clearly loves his county.
Kingston's take on older players during shutdown
Shane Kingston may have given us a insight into the thinking of older players who have had time to reflect during the lockdown.
He said on Tuesday: “I think people will come to the realisation of the commitment the GAA requires. l
love it – it’s my life - but for older people they might be like, ‘time off is nice’, and “someone who’s getting a bit older might think it’s such a commitment.”
Young players are always great at picking up the vibes of older players. It’s an interesting take on things from one of Cork’s young stars.
Big opportunity for GAA to encourage families to attend club games
There's a major opportunity now for the GAA to encourage families to attend club games when they resume.
With social distancing restrictions in place, this is the perfect time to sell and cement the idea of a family ticket to all club games.
Families have fewer restrictions on distancing and by and large they have become closer as a unit, so it’s the ideal time to sell this idea. I would suggest a €20 ticket gets up to five family members into any game.
l would even to go as far as promoting a one-off €50 payment that gets a family into all club Championship games for the entire campaign.
More importantly, it would provide badly needed cash up front for club coffers. We have to think outside the box and make things happen.
A nod to Irish mammies during lockdown
One of the advantages of lockdown is surely enjoying mammy’s home cooking again.
There’s nothing the Irish mammy loves more than having their sons and daughters home – especially the ones who devote so much time away playing Gaelic Games.
And to such a extent that many may have put on a few extra pounds - which is no harm.
Re-opened walking tracks a lifeline for many
Walking tracks in or around GAA pitches have opened again, which is fantastic - particularly in rural areas where walking is especially dangerous on country roads.
The walking tracks had become a proper meeting point in isolated areas. So opening them up again – even if it is only for a few hours a day – is a lifeline for so many.
