National Forum

The Corona Virus And Possible Effects To GAA Matches

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Replying To KingdomBoy1:  "Sorry to hear of your troubles Dec82, no doubt there will be tough times ahead and football and hurling would ease the pain of that.

I'm just wondering when numbers start to ease off how long would it take to have a test done and for a result back?

I'm only asking because if the GAA were serious about running the championships they could put players up in hotels test them and isolate them till their tests come back ( if say results would only take a day or 2 to come back)

It would cost the gaa a fair bit of money but it would probably cost them more not to have the championships."
Very unlikely if they don't have gate income

Isolating players and putting them up in hotels etc is fine in theory in professional sports with multi million TV deals but the GAA's primary source of income is gate receipts. Without that their whole financial model falls apart.

As pointed out by others GAA players all have jobs and families and cannot be expected to put themselves at risk for others entertainment. The professional players in Premier League, NBA etc may not even accept it if it comes to that.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2113 - 23/04/2020 12:13:06    2276560

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Replying To zinny:  "SARS does not have a vaccine. One went into clinical trials in China in 2004 however as the virus had been eradicated at that stage the clinical trials didn't mean anything. SARS was eradicated by starvation, that will never happen with this virus without a vaccine and even then, given how other viruses survive with effective vaccines, its here forever."
Was a typo. I meant to say no vacceine for Saras after many attempts. Jack Lambert outlined that in the interview with Dunphy.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2894 - 23/04/2020 12:51:10    2276562

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Replying To GeniusGerry:  "Very unlikely if they don't have gate income

Isolating players and putting them up in hotels etc is fine in theory in professional sports with multi million TV deals but the GAA's primary source of income is gate receipts. Without that their whole financial model falls apart.

As pointed out by others GAA players all have jobs and families and cannot be expected to put themselves at risk for others entertainment. The professional players in Premier League, NBA etc may not even accept it if it comes to that."
I hear what your saying Gerry, but what about the money from the sky deal and the RTÉ money, does anyone know how much that is? Not to mention the sponsorship money.

You could still have a certain amount of supporters at games 4-5000 in a big stadium like Fitzgerald stadium could leave plenty of room for social distancing, we all know how to protect ourselves and others now.

As for the players backroom teams and and refs well the least the gaa could do is put them up in a hotel and pay for their testing before games.

I think it's doable.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/04/2020 13:07:03    2276564

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Replying To KingdomBoy1:  "Sorry to hear of your troubles Dec82, no doubt there will be tough times ahead and football and hurling would ease the pain of that.

I'm just wondering when numbers start to ease off how long would it take to have a test done and for a result back?

I'm only asking because if the GAA were serious about running the championships they could put players up in hotels test them and isolate them till their tests come back ( if say results would only take a day or 2 to come back)

It would cost the gaa a fair bit of money but it would probably cost them more not to have the championships."
Ah I'm young and healthy, people out there far worse off than i am. I agree, it would definitely give a lift to everyone.

I honestly have no idea what's going to happen or what they'll even try but a lot can change in 2 or 3 months and i won't give up hope just yet.

Dec82 (Clare) - Posts: 242 - 23/04/2020 13:32:49    2276566

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Replying To KingdomBoy1:  "I hear what your saying Gerry, but what about the money from the sky deal and the RTÉ money, does anyone know how much that is? Not to mention the sponsorship money.

You could still have a certain amount of supporters at games 4-5000 in a big stadium like Fitzgerald stadium could leave plenty of room for social distancing, we all know how to protect ourselves and others now.

As for the players backroom teams and and refs well the least the gaa could do is put them up in a hotel and pay for their testing before games.

I think it's doable."
Would the players want to do that though? I think you're making a big assumption there. A lot of players will have young families. How long would they need to stay in hotels for? It's all very well thinking, "aw aye this is great being put up in a hotel for a few days just so I can play football" But not if the wife is ringing ya every hour complaining about the rash on the baby's arse!

Look it's fine and a bit of a distraction to speculate on these types of solutions but we have to be realistic. We're not professionals. People's health and lives trumps anything I've read or heard as a suggestion for games going ahead in 2020.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9872 - 23/04/2020 13:42:57    2276567

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Replying To KingdomBoy1:  "I hear what your saying Gerry, but what about the money from the sky deal and the RTÉ money, does anyone know how much that is? Not to mention the sponsorship money.

You could still have a certain amount of supporters at games 4-5000 in a big stadium like Fitzgerald stadium could leave plenty of room for social distancing, we all know how to protect ourselves and others now.

As for the players backroom teams and and refs well the least the gaa could do is put them up in a hotel and pay for their testing before games.

I think it's doable."
You must be joking. Do you work for sky sports or what? Do you think the players even think about tv deals or who is losing out on what? The players and supporters are the ones who would be at risk here and see no benefit from these. You would be willing to let players risk themselves and their families for nothing? You have the tail wagging the dog here where now more than ever it is clear the association is nothing without the voluntary contribution of players and supporters. It is not about sponsorship or tv deals. You need to get real here!

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 735 - 23/04/2020 14:31:20    2276573

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I've read and heard that Sweden has been very relaxed compared to Ireland and even Sweden's close neighbors as far as their response to the Virus goes. I haven't heard anything about them as far as their death rate compared to other countries and I only bring them up as an alternative to those who think there is only ONE approach to anything.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2589 - 23/04/2020 15:27:31    2276582

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Would the players want to do that though? I think you're making a big assumption there. A lot of players will have young families. How long would they need to stay in hotels for? It's all very well thinking, "aw aye this is great being put up in a hotel for a few days just so I can play football" But not if the wife is ringing ya every hour complaining about the rash on the baby's arse!

Look it's fine and a bit of a distraction to speculate on these types of solutions but we have to be realistic. We're not professionals. People's health and lives trumps anything I've read or heard as a suggestion for games going ahead in 2020."
Would it really be that much different than what has always gone on lockjaw? Players have always had to leave their spouse's for away games.

I mean the kerry team went to Ómaigh for the league game against tír Eoghain in the league this year on the Friday for a Saturday night game but due to storm Ciara the game was postponed to the Sunday so they stayed another day, now kerry players didn't complain about having to stay the extra day the only complaint was they didn't get home till late on the Sunday and none of them had the Monday booked off work.

I mean everyone says we'll have to live with this for a long time and everyone presume this will be gone within a year or 18 months but what if its not? Can the gaa take a 2 year hit of nó championships?

Look I believe if the proper guidelines are followed and tests completed then their shouldn't be a problem.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/04/2020 15:46:26    2276584

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Replying To Dec82:  "Ah I'm young and healthy, people out there far worse off than i am. I agree, it would definitely give a lift to everyone.

I honestly have no idea what's going to happen or what they'll even try but a lot can change in 2 or 3 months and i won't give up hope just yet."
Well you have a good attitude about it anyway so fair play to you, and I hope things work out for you and your family.

And you're right we'll just have to take this plague month by month and see where it takes us, I'm not writing off the season until the gaa come out and say as much.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/04/2020 15:53:42    2276587

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Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "Well if it does, and it follows the pattern of the flu season there wont be any time for playing anyway. The shutdown on gatherings is until September and the flu vaccine is administered to the public from the beginning of October, usually from about the 2nd week of the month."
True enough but if there were no new cases in May or June causing a revision to the model you speak of there would be adequate time for a knock out Championship. Slim hope for sure but still a hope.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2589 - 23/04/2020 18:02:18    2276592

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I have some experience in this field, and I can't see any way there'll be GAA sports this year. We'll be very fortunate if next year isn't a write-off as well

befair (Down) - Posts: 238 - 23/04/2020 18:12:18    2276593

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Replying To Onion Breath:  ""... if the virus is under control and there's a vaccine." !!!!!

Well of course .... let's do it sure what's to stop us then?!"
What'll we do with this cabbage Ted ?

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 23/04/2020 18:28:57    2276594

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Replying To KingdomBoy1:  "I hear what your saying Gerry, but what about the money from the sky deal and the RTÉ money, does anyone know how much that is? Not to mention the sponsorship money.

You could still have a certain amount of supporters at games 4-5000 in a big stadium like Fitzgerald stadium could leave plenty of room for social distancing, we all know how to protect ourselves and others now.

As for the players backroom teams and and refs well the least the gaa could do is put them up in a hotel and pay for their testing before games.

I think it's doable."
Not sure how much they get from Sky / RTE but their entire sponsorship and media income is about €20m vs nearly €70m in gate receipts and corporate boxes etc. I'm not sure if they could turn a profit on a championship with no fans present, or whether the public or more importantly the teams would buy in to that.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2113 - 23/04/2020 18:42:48    2276596

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Replying To GeniusGerry:  "Not sure how much they get from Sky / RTE but their entire sponsorship and media income is about €20m vs nearly €70m in gate receipts and corporate boxes etc. I'm not sure if they could turn a profit on a championship with no fans present, or whether the public or more importantly the teams would buy in to that."
I'm sure the players would suck it up for 1 year Gerry, they're all training away as it is, so it would be a shame for the young lads to lose the year, hi and wouldn't 20 million pay for a lot of hotels and tests.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/04/2020 19:22:37    2276597

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The European football league are going to be played behind closed doors,. so not sure why people think a few thousand can be fitted into Gaa ground,. And can't compare testing in GAA to professional teams
Here is how La liga will operate

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/la-liga-plan-to-restart-season-daily-covid-19-tests-training-isolation

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2894 - 23/04/2020 21:05:51    2276603

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Replying To KingdomBoy1:  "Would it really be that much different than what has always gone on lockjaw? Players have always had to leave their spouse's for away games.

I mean the kerry team went to Ómaigh for the league game against tír Eoghain in the league this year on the Friday for a Saturday night game but due to storm Ciara the game was postponed to the Sunday so they stayed another day, now kerry players didn't complain about having to stay the extra day the only complaint was they didn't get home till late on the Sunday and none of them had the Monday booked off work.

I mean everyone says we'll have to live with this for a long time and everyone presume this will be gone within a year or 18 months but what if its not? Can the gaa take a 2 year hit of nó championships?

Look I believe if the proper guidelines are followed and tests completed then their shouldn't be a problem."
Ah I know, sure our lads would be in the same boat as yourselves in that regard. Overnight stays would be normal enough for away league games.

But I reiterate points I've already made. We are just about staying ahead of this virus. The social distancing is slowing it down, which is great, as this means the HSE can cope. But if you heard Dr Tony Holohan tonight on the news, there is evidence of our discipline slipping. It wouldn't take much for us to go back to square one again if we start easing restrictions.

Joe Brolly, in his Gaelic Life column this week had an eloquent way of putting it. "We are slowly driving away from the tsunami, just about staying ahead of it. Having a Championship would be like turning around and driving full speed into it".

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9872 - 23/04/2020 21:34:32    2276606

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Is Mr Brolly a scientist now?

moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1154 - 23/04/2020 22:02:05    2276608

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Replying To befair:  "I have some experience in this field, and I can't see any way there'll be GAA sports this year. We'll be very fortunate if next year isn't a write-off as well"
Would you say next year is 50/50 in your experience? What odds would you give 1. This year? 2. Next year?

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2589 - 23/04/2020 22:27:41    2276609

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Ah I know, sure our lads would be in the same boat as yourselves in that regard. Overnight stays would be normal enough for away league games.

But I reiterate points I've already made. We are just about staying ahead of this virus. The social distancing is slowing it down, which is great, as this means the HSE can cope. But if you heard Dr Tony Holohan tonight on the news, there is evidence of our discipline slipping. It wouldn't take much for us to go back to square one again if we start easing restrictions.

Joe Brolly, in his Gaelic Life column this week had an eloquent way of putting it. "We are slowly driving away from the tsunami, just about staying ahead of it. Having a Championship would be like turning around and driving full speed into it"."
I understand where you're coming from lockjaw and I'm not trying to be blasé about it because it's as serious a situation as any of have seen in our life times.

But we are going in the right direction from what iv seen and read and maybe with more hard work we could be in a far better place come August.

Fingers crossed.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/04/2020 22:30:54    2276610

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Replying To catch22:  "What'll we do with this cabbage Ted ?"
You're the cabbage. You're the one who said once the virus is under control and there's a vaccine then it should be safe to start playing again. No sh*t Sherlock.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1607 - 23/04/2020 22:40:48    2276611

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