by John P Graham

Championship matches behind closed doors are not something that would be acceptable to Monaghan's Darren Hughes.

The Scotstown man, just like every intercounty player in the country, has seen all the plans for the 2020 championship thrown up in the air by the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the GAA have not ruled out playing matches without spectators, Hughes feels that goes against the ethos of the Association.

“We would have been looking forward to the summer and planning for it from early in the year but I suppose what has to be done has to be done, but no crowd at the championship matches to me is a non-starter,” said Hughes.

“I would have to ask why they would let 35 to 40 players and backroom personnel assemble in a dressing room in close contact and then go out and play a contact sport.

“It’s hard to see where that goes, although it’s not overly enticing, not for the players and certainly not for the supporters and as far as I would be concerned.

“Games behind closed doors would have no appeal and I would not be warming to it. Playing behind closed doors to me defeats the purpose of gaelic games because there is such a relationship between teams and their supporters.

“I cannot see much appetite among the county players for it because no spectators means no atmosphere and it is the crowd that lifts teams and lifts the games.”

Hughes does see the possibility of club games, with their smaller attendances as being more likely.

“I suppose restricting spectators would be easier on the club scene, but that’s a different scenario. It would be easy to restrict attendance at club matches and it's more than likely that the crowds at club matches aren’t that big anyway.”

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