The Club Players’ Association has called on the GAA to seize the moment by introducing a split season model.
The unique circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the GAA to giving precedence to club competitions before the county scene kicks back in, has caused a rethink in Croke Park.
The Fixture Calendar Review Task Force, which the CPA sat on before withdrawing in protest at the 11th hour, did not advance the idea of a split season last year but will now discuss it detail tomorrow.
“Circumstances have presented the GAA with a golden opportunity to trial a clear split in the season,” said CPA chairman Micheal Briody. “The response from clubs, players and supporters has shown definitively there is merit in giving club and county their own clear windows, with the right governance structures in place.
“It may have taken different timelines and different routes to get to this point but there is a growing realisation that a split season approach is the best solution to fixing the fixtures. It is reassuring now to see that the GAA, GPA and CPA have come to similar conclusions. We have always said it is about what is right, not who is right.”
Saying that the GAA “has the opportunity to come out of this dreadful scenario, stronger, better and more united than before”, Briody added the CPA will once again forward split season models that they have drawn up to the task force in the coming weeks.
He continued: “The idea of the split season is more appealing and makes more sense because in our current situation we can see the profile the club game attracts, the pride it generates and the popularity of games in summer.
“We believe there are grounds for cautious optimism. An opportunity has presented itself, it would be unforgivable to let it pass.”
