National Forum

The Corona Virus And Possible Effects To GAA Matches

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Sorry it's difficult to reply as you have multiple posts in one so bare with me please. My point is there is a mudding of the waters with how the Irish government have decided to use words. GAA people don't like the word "elite" for good reason but whatever term is used the standard, dedication, talent, fitness levels, effort and all round support of the best GAA players; playing at the top of their chosen sport is no different but in many cases is higher than many of the professional rugby and soccer players plying their trade in Ireland and the reaction of Irish society to our games would prove that.

The fact the GAA decides to remain amateur does not take away that fact. Rugby and Soccer players in Ireland are not at an "elite" level compared to GAA inter county players; their sports decide to pay them professional contracts that is the only difference and due to these professional contracts I totally like many in the GAA understand why the Irish government have allowed them to continue - but it doesn't mean they're an "elite" sport compared to the GAA as it is more an economic decision than a sporting one as for these people it's their income so a completly different thought process needs to be considered beyond sport.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 742 - 12/02/2021 19:12:56
But the soccer and Rugby can be treated and should be treated differently to GAA players as they are professional athletes and especially the rugby players. Are full time athletes.
Playing at the top level of the sport is completely different when its your full time job or at least primary job.
Rugby players are at an elite level compared to the GAA who despite all the commitment etc its a past time for the GAA players. Winning and losing games wont make a difference to their future career in anywhere near the same manner as professional athletes."
It is impossible to train 24 hours a day even for professional athletes. There is strength and conditioning work, video analysis, studying an opponent, rest time, ball work, meeting for training, managing lifestyle choices and I could go on and on. GAA players at the top of their game treat these areas as importantly as professional sports people. The difference is yes they fit it around their jobs and the only slight difference would be rest time.

The only reason why soccer and rugby players are allowed to continue their sports in Ireland is an economic one; they're encouraged to return to work as it's deemed safe to do so. The decision has nothing to do with their sports being "more" elite or athletes being more elite. Rugby at provincial level is a poor comparsion to the standard of athlete at inter county GAA level and league of Ireland soccer standard is further back.

I'm comfortable with the decision of the government as I know it's an economic decision and not a sporting decision; it's about professional sport and not "elite" sport, the word "elite" is out of context here.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 12/02/2021 21:55:33    2331245

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "Paddy Tally got a 8 week ban a few weeks ago for having Down meeting up when not suppose too. Cork were at it too.
That sort of thing didn't help matters when they were deciding who was elite or not,
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Some might look down at the LOI but they are all either professional or Semi pro,"
I'll say this much lads. I am over seventy years of age. I live a long way from my own county. I am an avid GAA and have seldom missed a championship or league for past fifty five years odd. There are several more like me through the country. I have followed all the rules since, staying at home to watch games, often on my own. I feel watching the games in the championship was something that really helped us to remain in fairly good spirits. I am very glad we had the games we had and hopefully things will be back, at least behind closed doors soon. Those who broke the rules and went to pubs to see games and the publicans that served them should hang their heads in shame.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4490 - 12/02/2021 22:03:31    2331246

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Replying To mickcunningham:  "the gaa is amateur in name only , well done to the government for outlining the fact that it is not an elite sport . now maybe the gaa will start paying their players and becoming professional . if some managers can get a 6 figure sum how the hell is that amateur . its time heads were taken out of the sand"
Some managers earn six figure sums? Names or counties? Money laundering is illegal and I do not think any organisation especially one with charity status will get away with paying a manager a six figure fee.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4953 - 13/02/2021 00:28:00    2331251

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Getting away fro all the arguing about professional and elite and stuff..going by what is being said by government and Gaa top brass,when do posters expect to see any Gaa activity?im thinking we will be lucky to see anything by June?i think it might be good to be able to say brill we have a date for a start to a competition of some sorts..when will it be possible to even actually go to a club match of some sorts?

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2505 - 13/02/2021 00:48:35    2331252

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The impression I got from reading news reports on the internet is that the GAA weren't all that keen on starting just yet. Maybe gearing up for straight knock out AI Championships on last year's lines.

I can see that, for the players, keeping in line with the Covid restrictions makes game day less fun than it was two years ago.

lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 475 - 13/02/2021 10:07:39    2331259

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Replying To CTGAA10:  "Getting away fro all the arguing about professional and elite and stuff..going by what is being said by government and Gaa top brass,when do posters expect to see any Gaa activity?im thinking we will be lucky to see anything by June?i think it might be good to be able to say brill we have a date for a start to a competition of some sorts..when will it be possible to even actually go to a club match of some sorts?"
It all depends how people behave themselves and whether they can actually see a world beyond their local pub.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 13/02/2021 11:01:42    2331261

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Replying To arock:  "Some managers earn six figure sums? Names or counties? Money laundering is illegal and I do not think any organisation especially one with charity status will get away with paying a manager a six figure fee."
I never heard of a 6 figure sum either being paid to gaa managers but I did hear of plenty managers getting 5 figure sums. Now it's hearsay and I can't confirm 100% but I'd say there s some truth in it. Now the stories I hear of managers getting paid are all club managers. Now I do know of a friend that was getting a few hundred euro a week to manage and train an intermediate club.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3895 - 13/02/2021 11:39:21    2331264

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "I'll say this much lads. I am over seventy years of age. I live a long way from my own county. I am an avid GAA and have seldom missed a championship or league for past fifty five years odd. There are several more like me through the country. I have followed all the rules since, staying at home to watch games, often on my own. I feel watching the games in the championship was something that really helped us to remain in fairly good spirits. I am very glad we had the games we had and hopefully things will be back, at least behind closed doors soon. Those who broke the rules and went to pubs to see games and the publicans that served them should hang their heads in shame."
Well said.

lilylanger (Kildare) - Posts: 758 - 13/02/2021 11:50:00    2331265

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Replying To CTGAA10:  "Getting away fro all the arguing about professional and elite and stuff..going by what is being said by government and Gaa top brass,when do posters expect to see any Gaa activity?im thinking we will be lucky to see anything by June?i think it might be good to be able to say brill we have a date for a start to a competition of some sorts..when will it be possible to even actually go to a club match of some sorts?"
Return to play would I say mean 4 weeks training before any games take place. You will have a bunch of managers giving out about that but what can be done. They said things were on track for numbers in the 100s by the end of the month but I am not so sure of that however lets take mid March, then you are talking mid April.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1956 - 13/02/2021 12:31:54    2331268

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I think if things keep going the way they are we'll have inter county back by mid April, league first then Championship, club football later in the year, we still have our 2020 county club final to play yet too.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3178 - 13/02/2021 16:10:09    2331279

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Replying To CTGAA10:  "Getting away fro all the arguing about professional and elite and stuff..going by what is being said by government and Gaa top brass,when do posters expect to see any Gaa activity?im thinking we will be lucky to see anything by June?i think it might be good to be able to say brill we have a date for a start to a competition of some sorts..when will it be possible to even actually go to a club match of some sorts?"
I think the championship will be knock out and as you say it will probably be June at the earliest. I think they will scrap the league for 2021. I think they will go with the intercounty unless the figures are low and stable. The one concern I would have is the slow progress we are making as a country in terms of the vaccine rollout. This will seriously impact the lifting of lockdowns and keeping us out of lockdown. The government seems all at sea in recent months.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2095 - 13/02/2021 16:37:11    2331281

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Replying To lionofludesch:  "The impression I got from reading news reports on the internet is that the GAA weren't all that keen on starting just yet. Maybe gearing up for straight knock out AI Championships on last year's lines.

I can see that, for the players, keeping in line with the Covid restrictions makes game day less fun than it was two years ago."
Looks to me that HQ GAA are awaiting government funding before any games start. None coming in February or March so are right to see will things change for April.

Probably need to scrap the NFL now and forget about the B All-Ireland for another year. Most important thing is getting kids out on the field as grass roots is key in any sport

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3605 - 13/02/2021 16:39:27    2331282

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Replying To lionofludesch:  "The impression I got from reading news reports on the internet is that the GAA weren't all that keen on starting just yet. Maybe gearing up for straight knock out AI Championships on last year's lines.

I can see that, for the players, keeping in line with the Covid restrictions makes game day less fun than it was two years ago."
If they go straight knockout they have to go open draw 32.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2289 - 13/02/2021 17:31:45    2331287

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "I think if things keep going the way they are we'll have inter county back by mid April, league first then Championship, club football later in the year, we still have our 2020 county club final to play yet too."
They will only be back training by mid April. It will then take 4 to 6 of training to get up to speed so mid May when there would be some action, if even.

The Provincial and All Ireland Club could miss out for another year which would be unfortunate.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2874 - 13/02/2021 17:50:50    2331289

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "They will only be back training by mid April. It will then take 4 to 6 of training to get up to speed so mid May when there would be some action, if even.

The Provincial and All Ireland Club could miss out for another year which would be unfortunate."
Time will tell, hope one of us is right at least. Open draw would be good but can't see it because of the potential for teams meeting from the 4 corners of ireland,
the way the things going now Ulster will have the lowest case numbers, they are vaccinating like hell in the six counties, suppose Donegal will be the last to vaccinated, the forgotten county.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3178 - 13/02/2021 20:59:07    2331299

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What is Kevin McStay on? Just read his comments on the main page.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 13/02/2021 21:42:56    2331303

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Replying To mickcunningham:  "the gaa is amateur in name only , well done to the government for outlining the fact that it is not an elite sport . now maybe the gaa will start paying their players and becoming professional . if some managers can get a 6 figure sum how the hell is that amateur . its time heads were taken out of the sand"
It would be great if we could pay everyone. Not sure what elite means-nothing elite about some of our national teams! There are far too many people being paid in the GAA. Its a bit like government with all the spin doctors being paid and all decisions being to little to late. Mismanagement is rife in most of our large organisations and paying folk does not mean they do a better job. Look at out 'new hospital'!-all professionals looking after it.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 13/02/2021 21:45:07    2331304

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I'd hope mcstay comes on the Sunday game and be asked to explain what he is talking about,a fella playing golf won't get a belt..social distancing is a problem?maybe at club matches before they stopped,definitely wasn't the inter county scene..can he tell us there were covid outbreaks in inter county squads..I'm sick to my teeth of all these dinosaurs on RTÉ,please replace with younger analysts who really won't be stopped telling how things really are..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2505 - 13/02/2021 22:16:40    2331309

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Replying To browncows:  "It would be great if we could pay everyone. Not sure what elite means-nothing elite about some of our national teams! There are far too many people being paid in the GAA. Its a bit like government with all the spin doctors being paid and all decisions being to little to late. Mismanagement is rife in most of our large organisations and paying folk does not mean they do a better job. Look at out 'new hospital'!-all professionals looking after it."
How the hell is there too many in the GAA being paid?
Its a monstrous organisation catering to hundreds of thousands of members and the things done centrally by many of these employees isnt simply possible to be completed by amateur volunteers doing it in their spare time!

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 13/02/2021 22:20:54    2331311

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Let the games go ahead, if that Limerick keeper thinks its alright then I'm with him. No harm done last year and we all need the distraction.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8746 - 13/02/2021 22:33:07    2331313

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