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The Corona Virus And Possible Effects To GAA Matches

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It's funny reading the rugby heads on here and the way they are going on about 'bubbles' and how safe they are it's a joke. There not living on Tory island getting food and equipment delivered in by a drone- they are living and moving around in the community the same as the rest of us, how else have they had clusters in their 'bubbles through out the winter. How many professional soccer players are making their living in the League of Ireland? I would guess 100 max. Playing their matches they will be cris crossing the country just like GAA players would be.
As for the club celebrations last autumn, the pubs are closed(and should remain closed for a long time) and this was the cause of those outbreaks just like they were the cause of the Christmas outbreaks Check when pubs opened and see the number of cases shooting up in the weeks afterwards and when they close the numbers start to come down again. The government are going to lose the people again as they aren't giving us an outline of what's going to happen when the numbers come down. It looks like we are going to be lockedown for most of this year even if we have 70 to 80 % of the population vaccinated. Is the vaccine nor going to protect us?

updwell (Limerick) - Posts: 898 - 11/02/2021 16:48:12    2331083

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Replying To updwell:  "It's funny reading the rugby heads on here and the way they are going on about 'bubbles' and how safe they are it's a joke. There not living on Tory island getting food and equipment delivered in by a drone- they are living and moving around in the community the same as the rest of us, how else have they had clusters in their 'bubbles through out the winter. How many professional soccer players are making their living in the League of Ireland? I would guess 100 max. Playing their matches they will be cris crossing the country just like GAA players would be.
As for the club celebrations last autumn, the pubs are closed(and should remain closed for a long time) and this was the cause of those outbreaks just like they were the cause of the Christmas outbreaks Check when pubs opened and see the number of cases shooting up in the weeks afterwards and when they close the numbers start to come down again. The government are going to lose the people again as they aren't giving us an outline of what's going to happen when the numbers come down. It looks like we are going to be lockedown for most of this year even if we have 70 to 80 % of the population vaccinated. Is the vaccine nor going to protect us?"
The rugby players do live in bubbles. Many especially younger players without families all live together and can isolate. Just get deliveries of shopping etc and only go out for training etc
Theyre not moving around which is the point.
Its completely different as their workplace is all the same and where all those who are in that work place are tested on very regular basis.
GAA players. that isnt the case for a lot of players. now is it.

We dont know how long it will be before we get that many vaccinated. and there likely will be restrictions in place for some time.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 11/02/2021 17:08:36    2331088

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The Gaa president has come out and said the bubbles are a problem,so why is now and wasn't from October to December?killingfields can you explain how it works in rugby,a munster player was released from Ireland camp last week to go straight into munster camp?where is the safe bubble and it happened with a leinster player to..the pubs aren't open now and don't look like opening any time soon so the chance of people gathering to celebrate is less..with what is being said I think Gaa will be very lucky to be up and running any time in June..last year was long but at least dates were there for people now it looks very,very bleak..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2504 - 11/02/2021 17:38:36    2331092

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Replying To KillingFields:  "The rugby players do live in bubbles. Many especially younger players without families all live together and can isolate. Just get deliveries of shopping etc and only go out for training etc
Theyre not moving around which is the point.
Its completely different as their workplace is all the same and where all those who are in that work place are tested on very regular basis.
GAA players. that isnt the case for a lot of players. now is it.

We dont know how long it will be before we get that many vaccinated. and there likely will be restrictions in place for some time."
But there has been outbreaks on the rugby provincial squads-they aren't bullet proof.Look I'm not a rugby fan and I'm not looking for it to be stopped but surely when the kids are back to school in a month s time then then underage sports of all variations should be started up just to get kids moving around and meeting people of their own age again. If we don't help them we are going to have bigger issues than Covid in the future

updwell (Limerick) - Posts: 898 - 11/02/2021 17:39:04    2331093

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Just read the various GAA statements re not being able to 'bubble' their players, and it makes sense. I still think the rationale for allowing other sports to go ahead is a bit tenuous, but it is what it is.

One thing, I see President (GAA) saying there was an "appetite" to see a return to action as soon as possible once the number of positive cases began to fall substantially. I think thats kind of a pointless milestone to plan against. Positve cases can go up much more quickly than they go down, so by itself, a drop in cases means very little, regarding planning.

These societal milestones have to start getting pinned to vaccination targets. If we get to the stage where all vulnerable populations are vaccinated, and its open to the general public, then plans can be made, re-opening can start. But if those forecasts can't be made, no real plans can be made.

Now that we've all these vaccine's coming through, one last lockdown push to contain it, and save as many lives as possible, makes sense. But the conversation has to start changing to how we vaccinate our way out of this, rather than lockdown our way out if it. More pressure needs to be put on the powers-that-be to do whatever they can (beg, borrow, steal) to get as many and as much vaccines as they can, from wherever they can, as quick as they can, and distribute them as fast as they can. Thats not happening, currently.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 11/02/2021 19:01:46    2331099

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Classing GAA as elite sports was a bobo from the off.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 11/02/2021 19:38:55    2331101

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Replying To Marlon_JD:  "Just read the various GAA statements re not being able to 'bubble' their players, and it makes sense. I still think the rationale for allowing other sports to go ahead is a bit tenuous, but it is what it is.

One thing, I see President (GAA) saying there was an "appetite" to see a return to action as soon as possible once the number of positive cases began to fall substantially. I think thats kind of a pointless milestone to plan against. Positve cases can go up much more quickly than they go down, so by itself, a drop in cases means very little, regarding planning.

These societal milestones have to start getting pinned to vaccination targets. If we get to the stage where all vulnerable populations are vaccinated, and its open to the general public, then plans can be made, re-opening can start. But if those forecasts can't be made, no real plans can be made.

Now that we've all these vaccine's coming through, one last lockdown push to contain it, and save as many lives as possible, makes sense. But the conversation has to start changing to how we vaccinate our way out of this, rather than lockdown our way out if it. More pressure needs to be put on the powers-that-be to do whatever they can (beg, borrow, steal) to get as many and as much vaccines as they can, from wherever they can, as quick as they can, and distribute them as fast as they can. Thats not happening, currently."
This time tomorrow they'll probably come across a strain that's (you guessed it ) resistant to the vaccine and we'll be back to square one.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 11/02/2021 19:53:42    2331104

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The Gaa president has come out and said the bubbles are a problem,so why is now and wasn't from October to December?killingfields can you explain how it works in rugby,a munster player was released from Ireland camp last week to go straight into munster camp?where is the safe bubble and it happened with a leinster player to..the pubs aren't open now and don't look like opening any time soon so the chance of people gathering to celebrate is less..with what is being said I think Gaa will be very lucky to be up and running any time in June..last year was long but at least dates were there for people now it looks very,very bleak..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 1142 - 11/02/2021 17:38:36
The rugby players are tested in their provinces. If called up to ireland they are tested there as well. they are still tested regularly so if dropped back to province. theyre still within the same bubble
All info is available on articles on the IRFU website.
You can still get covid within these. as example of players getting covid show,

But there has been outbreaks on the rugby provincial squads-they aren't bullet proof.Look I'm not a rugby fan and I'm not looking for it to be stopped but surely when the kids are back to school in a month s time then then underage sports of all variations should be started up just to get kids moving around and meeting people of their own age again. If we don't help them we are going to have bigger issues than Covid in the future
updwell (Limerick) - Posts: 432 - 11/02/2021 17:39:04There has and it shows they arent bullet proof. problem with starting sport up again is its adding movement that isnt needed.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 11/02/2021 20:01:27    2331106

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Replying To Galway9801:  "This time tomorrow they'll probably come across a strain that's (you guessed it ) resistant to the vaccine and we'll be back to square one."
Jaysus..call it off lads..lol

moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1135 - 11/02/2021 20:06:07    2331107

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "The blame lies with the government and nphet for yet again their atrocious communication skills and transparency in their messaging. I dont think any reasonable gaa person expected games to resume while we're averaging 1000 cases per day. This levels and criteria nonsense just change with every week and do nothing but create headlines and anxiety. Surely they can set a target of case numbers, transmission rate and other metrics whereby it is safe for certain activities to resume, giving people some clarity rather than these dramatic meaningless announcements"
Criteria has not changed around sport, the latest Statutory Instrument 701/2020 regarding restriction of sports events which came into effect on December 30, games can be organised providing "every person participating the event" is "a professional sportsperson who receives payment for training and playing sport under a contract of employment with a soccer club or the rugby football organisation. Nothing has changed, except the exemption given to GAA came to an end after All Ireland series. How do Gov. set these targets and give clarity as the metrics, transmission rates and emergence of new varients are still changinging? As Horan said GAA will return when it is safe to do so.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2214 - 11/02/2021 20:19:28    2331111

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Replying To Galway9801:  "This time tomorrow they'll probably come across a strain that's (you guessed it ) resistant to the vaccine and we'll be back to square one."
From what I've gathered, I don't think any strain will be fully resistant to any of the vaccine's, its just that the vaccines might be less effective against some strains, but still work to some degree. The great thing about this new RNA vaccine technology, I think, is that it can be rapidly adapted to any new strain that comes along, much more so than traditional vaccines. So I wouldn't worry too much about new strains re the vaccine. There should be no going back to square one

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 11/02/2021 21:11:32    2331118

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Replying To MicktheMiller:  "What defines elite sport? Rugby at provincial level is professional, LOI soccer is semi professional in most clubs.
Would it be better to scrap the leagues, and concentrate on resuming training in mid to late March, for inter county competition to start in April or May, if cases have reduced to 100-200 per day, or ideally to single figures?"
Based on my understanding, the GAA would need to put players in bubbles and test the regularly to be classified as elite sport. Also, players would need to be semi or full time professionals. Obviously soccer in ireland is a member of UEFA and the players are semi professional. These players to play in Europe would have to follow strict protocol. Rugby players participating in the six nations are in Carton house between matches and have to follow strict protocol or they can't play. This is elite sport in covid time. I doubt that the GAA want to go down this route, as it classes itself as an amateur organisation, so they are waiting and biding their time till later in the year.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2094 - 11/02/2021 21:13:13    2331120

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An extended break from gaa activity will do the players bodies the world of good imo.
Fellas lining out for several different teams (did I hear on here of a young lad who was serving 8 separate mangers?). Crazy stuff.
Half of them are probably privately delighted to be able to take a guilt free step back.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 11/02/2021 21:13:15    2331121

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Replying To Galway9801:  "An extended break from gaa activity will do the players bodies the world of good imo.
Fellas lining out for several different teams (did I hear on here of a young lad who was serving 8 separate mangers?). Crazy stuff.
Half of them are probably privately delighted to be able to take a guilt free step back."
Especially the early part of the year, overloaded with Sigerson, U20 , National League games. Kieran Molloy had to combine playing Sigerson final, and playing All Ireland Club on the same day a few years ago.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2874 - 11/02/2021 21:38:18    2331125

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Replying To Galway9801:  "An extended break from gaa activity will do the players bodies the world of good imo.
Fellas lining out for several different teams (did I hear on here of a young lad who was serving 8 separate mangers?). Crazy stuff.
Half of them are probably privately delighted to be able to take a guilt free step back."
Would GAA need to divert back to minor and U21 as a lot of young lads might miss out on playing at this level because time has slipped on?

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2289 - 11/02/2021 21:54:35    2331127

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Replying To seadog54:  "Criteria has not changed around sport, the latest Statutory Instrument 701/2020 regarding restriction of sports events which came into effect on December 30, games can be organised providing "every person participating the event" is "a professional sportsperson who receives payment for training and playing sport under a contract of employment with a soccer club or the rugby football organisation. Nothing has changed, except the exemption given to GAA came to an end after All Ireland series. How do Gov. set these targets and give clarity as the metrics, transmission rates and emergence of new varients are still changinging? As Horan said GAA will return when it is safe to do so."
Did I read that you have to be employed by the IRFU to play rugby in Ireland under that law? So presumably lots of the games taking place are against the law but people are turning a blind eye to it? Interesting that the Liverpool game in Germany can't be played there next week as the Germans won't allow them in but teams are going back and forth to Britain from here every week.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 11/02/2021 21:59:20    2331128

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Question: has the gaa lost elite sport status because of Kildare's defending in the second half against Meath?

Daith (Kildare) - Posts: 1172 - 11/02/2021 22:29:47    2331134

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Replying To Soma:  "Did I read that you have to be employed by the IRFU to play rugby in Ireland under that law? So presumably lots of the games taking place are against the law but people are turning a blind eye to it? Interesting that the Liverpool game in Germany can't be played there next week as the Germans won't allow them in but teams are going back and forth to Britain from here every week."
The provinces are rugby organisations in their own right and their players are professionals.
Just blame Down and Cork...they had to go and get caught.

wishfulthinkin (Cavan) - Posts: 1730 - 11/02/2021 23:07:48    2331135

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Replying To Soma:  "Did I read that you have to be employed by the IRFU to play rugby in Ireland under that law? So presumably lots of the games taking place are against the law but people are turning a blind eye to it? Interesting that the Liverpool game in Germany can't be played there next week as the Germans won't allow them in but teams are going back and forth to Britain from here every week."
Not directly tied to the IRFU but could be employed by a body affiliated to it. All of the players playing at the moment would be under contracts to one of the provincial bodies or central contract with the IRFU. People will say its unfair that say the French rugby team can travel to Dublin and not quarantine but they have been in quarantine for some time anyway and there has to be recognition of that. Clubs and National squads have been pretty strict on booting out lads who break the rules as it puts the whole scheme at risk. Unfortunately it is the optics that make the headlines.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1956 - 12/02/2021 04:23:58    2331143

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Replying To Daith:  "Question: has the gaa lost elite sport status because of Kildare's defending in the second half against Meath?"
You could have something there.

lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 475 - 12/02/2021 10:20:08    2331155

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