Cork hurling legend Donal Og Cusack claims that the GAA need to open club pitches before their proposed July 20 date.
Croke Park chiefs have taken a conservative approach to restarting action in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, with an inter-county championship already on hold until at least October.
But the ex-Rebels goalkeeper argues that the Covid-19 crisis isn't going away and that the organisation need to explore the possibility of allowing pitches to open sooner rather than later.
"You can understand why the GAA are taking a conservative approach," Cusack told RTE's GAA podcast.
"We are in uncharted waters. Who is going to risk human health? I'm stating the obvious.
"The GAA fields are the heartbeat of most communities in Ireland, definitely in rural Ireland, definitely in Cloyne where I'm from.
"I do think they need to open up the fields earlier than the 20th of July.
"I understand the GAA don't want to put pressure on clubs and communities, but I wouldn't be surprised that you'd get a lot of volunteers that would act as marshals, say between 12 noon and 6pm.
"I know there is a risk involved. I think we're moving away from a point that this virus is going to disappear at any stage.
"We have to come to terms with the fact that living with Covid-19 is the reality."
