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Replying To Lockjaw: "Some people gurning about their precious data are the very same ones who have most likely have Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Maps etc...
As I said on another thread - our grandchildren will likely surmise that it was stupidity and ignorance that led to so many deaths moreso than the actual virus itself." I am reminded of the ten plagues of the Exodus, we have different viruses but failed to heed how to control them and yet as each one gets worse we revert back to type.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1800 - 07/07/2020 16:17:08
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Replying To zinny: "I am reminded of the ten plagues of the Exodus, we have different viruses but failed to heed how to control them and yet as each one gets worse we revert back to type." exodus eh, i sincerely hope your'e taking the p*ss
lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 07/07/2020 17:12:40
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Replying To lilypad: "exodus eh, i sincerely hope your'e taking the p*ss" Exodus, movement of the people.
KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 07/07/2020 18:18:12
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Replying To lilypad: "exodus eh, i sincerely hope your'e taking the p*ss" Is the subtly of the comparison too much for you to handle?
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1800 - 08/07/2020 04:11:52
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GAA commercial director Peter McKenna admits a behind-closed-doors championship is the "least preferential" scenario as they seek to play off this year's competition within the calendar year.
Provincial championships are due to start in October, with no certainty around what number of spectators can attend games.
Yesterday's decision to halt entry to Phase 4 of the Covid-19 roadmap means less than 200 people can attend outdoor events into mid-August. Halting the spread of the virus will be crucial for allowing competitions to take place and if any fans can be present.
Speaking on the Today programme on RTÉ Radio 1, McKenna told Sarah McInerney that there are a range of options for Croke Park.
He said: "Everyone is hopeful for games to start again in October. We are prepared for them to start again. Obviously the 200 limit is still continuing and that would make a huge challenge but I'd be hopeful that we are responding very well as a nation to what NPHET are putting down.
"I think once you start to unravel the restrictions you will see slightly bigger crowds within the stadium. At two metres distancing we are probably at around 7,000 capacity within the stadium. That is very, very small really.
"At one metre we are probably at around 22,000 and if we are allowed a degree of brush off - by which I mean people walking by each other in the same row - we could probably get up to 28,000.
"You'd be hopeful that come October we might be allowed 30% or 40% capacity in the stadium. But it is very much dependent on where NPHET see our progress as a nation."
GAA president John Horan told The Sunday Game earlier this year that a scenario of matches without supporters was not enticing to the organisation.
He said in May: "I have a bit of an issue with the closed doors concept. If it is safe enough for the players to be in close contact on the pitch, then it is going to be safe enough to have a certain number of people in the ground gathering
"I don't think behind closed doors is going to happen to be honest with you."
However, McKenna believes the measure can be pursued if necessary.
"I think it is the least preferential. The thing about our games is they are very much about crowd being there and enjoying it. That is why the club championships have started first.
"Okay, they are restricted to 200 people. In small villages that will accommodate them but when you look at some of the bigger clubs in some of the cities, that is going to be a challenge.
"I'd hate for it to be behind closed doors, but if the championship starts, I guess we'll need to finish it. We'd like to finish it this year if we could. The preference would be to not have it behind closed doors, but we will if necessary. It would very much be the last resort."
The Croke Park director confirmed they have already planned for how to deal with the various levels of attendances that are on the table.
"We'll look at regulated entry into the stadium so people need to come earlier and take their seat earlier. It isn't so much about how people interact in the stadium, it is on the roads outside.
"You don't want people coming at the one time. We need to careful and watchful of that and public transport and how people get to Dublin, depending on what teams are playing.
"We will do that liasing closely with the National Transport Authority, working with the Gardai and just putting in place [regulations]."
The GAA is in discussions with broadcasters around televising games, and looking at how they can bring more to the public if spectators are not permitted to attend.
McKenna added that current agreements could be altered: "We working closely with RTÉ and our partners with Sky on how we can make the games available the most people as possible.
"We're doing a lot of experimentation with club championships on streaming games so if the games are next picked up on a national broadcaster, how can we get the game out so people can watch it online? In the next couple of weeks we'll learn a lot about that."
He also said the online platforms could enter the argument for the next round of broadcasting rights next year.
Improvements to technology and broadband have meant streaming will be a "important part" of this, he said.
"Streaming is going to be an important part of what we do. It makes games accessible, not just to those that like to go, but people abroad as well.
"Any of the online companies [could enter the market], it would not be unusual. It is the way of the future and a challenge for traditional broadcasters, there is no doubt."
The planned Eid Al Adha event at Croke Park - which is due to take place on either 31 July or 1 August - will likely now be limited to 200 people due to Government guidelines.
He said hosting the event at Croke Park is a "fantastic gesture".
TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 16/07/2020 14:11:14
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Replying To TheUsername: "GAA commercial director Peter McKenna admits a behind-closed-doors championship is the "least preferential" scenario as they seek to play off this year's competition within the calendar year.
Provincial championships are due to start in October, with no certainty around what number of spectators can attend games.
Yesterday's decision to halt entry to Phase 4 of the Covid-19 roadmap means less than 200 people can attend outdoor events into mid-August. Halting the spread of the virus will be crucial for allowing competitions to take place and if any fans can be present.
Speaking on the Today programme on RTÉ Radio 1, McKenna told Sarah McInerney that there are a range of options for Croke Park.
He said: "Everyone is hopeful for games to start again in October. We are prepared for them to start again. Obviously the 200 limit is still continuing and that would make a huge challenge but I'd be hopeful that we are responding very well as a nation to what NPHET are putting down.
"I think once you start to unravel the restrictions you will see slightly bigger crowds within the stadium. At two metres distancing we are probably at around 7,000 capacity within the stadium. That is very, very small really.
"At one metre we are probably at around 22,000 and if we are allowed a degree of brush off - by which I mean people walking by each other in the same row - we could probably get up to 28,000.
"You'd be hopeful that come October we might be allowed 30% or 40% capacity in the stadium. But it is very much dependent on where NPHET see our progress as a nation."
GAA president John Horan told The Sunday Game earlier this year that a scenario of matches without supporters was not enticing to the organisation.
He said in May: "I have a bit of an issue with the closed doors concept. If it is safe enough for the players to be in close contact on the pitch, then it is going to be safe enough to have a certain number of people in the ground gathering
"I don't think behind closed doors is going to happen to be honest with you."
However, McKenna believes the measure can be pursued if necessary.
"I think it is the least preferential. The thing about our games is they are very much about crowd being there and enjoying it. That is why the club championships have started first.
"Okay, they are restricted to 200 people. In small villages that will accommodate them but when you look at some of the bigger clubs in some of the cities, that is going to be a challenge.
"I'd hate for it to be behind closed doors, but if the championship starts, I guess we'll need to finish it. We'd like to finish it this year if we could. The preference would be to not have it behind closed doors, but we will if necessary. It would very much be the last resort."
The Croke Park director confirmed they have already planned for how to deal with the various levels of attendances that are on the table.
"We'll look at regulated entry into the stadium so people need to come earlier and take their seat earlier. It isn't so much about how people interact in the stadium, it is on the roads outside.
"You don't want people coming at the one time. We need to careful and watchful of that and public transport and how people get to Dublin, depending on what teams are playing.
"We will do that liasing closely with the National Transport Authority, working with the Gardai and just putting in place [regulations ."
The GAA is in discussions with broadcasters around televising games, and looking at how they can bring more to the public if spectators are not permitted to attend.
McKenna added that current agreements could be altered: "We working closely with RTÉ and our partners with Sky on how we can make the games available the most people as possible.
"We're doing a lot of experimentation with club championships on streaming games so if the games are next picked up on a national broadcaster, how can we get the game out so people can watch it online? In the next couple of weeks we'll learn a lot about that."
He also said the online platforms could enter the argument for the next round of broadcasting rights next year.
Improvements to technology and broadband have meant streaming will be a "important part" of this, he said.
"Streaming is going to be an important part of what we do. It makes games accessible, not just to those that like to go, but people abroad as well.
"Any of the online companies [could enter the market], it would not be unusual. It is the way of the future and a challenge for traditional broadcasters, there is no doubt."
The planned Eid Al Adha event at Croke Park - which is due to take place on either 31 July or 1 August - will likely now be limited to 200 people due to Government guidelines.
He said hosting the event at Croke Park is a "fantastic gesture"."]I think Horan's comments were from a GAA man first and foremost; thinking if it's practical or worth having a championship if it was behind closed doors; I strongly suspect he believed what he said and after this year his term is up.
McKenna on the other hand is the commercial director of the GAA; the GAA is his and many others career. A Championship behind closed doors would of course cost the GAA a significant amount of lost revenue. However money doesn't stop at gate receipts; there is huge sponsorship, media and local sponsorship contracts that have to be honoured. There is the added benefit of having a Championship in the run up to Christmas and how this could be of commercial benefit to the GAA.
As he hints the GAA championship could become the main media event of the autumn months followed by every household in the country with possible increase talk shows etc to market it. As the commericial director he is thinking commericial but I'm not sure it's in the best interests of the GAA players if it's forced behind closed doors; they're not professional players.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 16/07/2020 14:40:11
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Becoming clearer and clearer that Championship will be held, effectively, behind closed doors. Regardless of how we progress through the phases in the coming few months, I think it would be wholly irresponsible to allow a gathering of potentially 28,000 people before a vaccine is widely available.
It would be a different question if we had the virus suppressed and had a handle of cases coming into the country.
To allow large gatherings of people again, whilst we cannot control, track, or monitor infected individuals coming into this country from USA, UK, or elsewhere, would be a very worrying development.
SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 373 - 16/07/2020 16:08:22
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IMO a wrong decision yesterday by the government, The 500 for outdoor gatherings should have been left alone.
If GAA Club matches can't have at least 500 in attendance when we have 0.3% positivity testing rate then when will it be allowed?
As far inter county football goes. All I see going ahead now is the completion of the NFL, I don't see HQ going ahead with the championship if 40 to 50% capacity isnt allowed and the chances of that happening now with an over cautious new government is very slim.
Yondu (UK) - Posts: 845 - 16/07/2020 17:03:10
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Football without crowds are pointless, cancel all until the whole country opens up.
lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 16/07/2020 20:25:48
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "Becoming clearer and clearer that Championship will be held, effectively, behind closed doors. Regardless of how we progress through the phases in the coming few months, I think it would be wholly irresponsible to allow a gathering of potentially 28,000 people before a vaccine is widely available.
It would be a different question if we had the virus suppressed and had a handle of cases coming into the country.
To allow large gatherings of people again, whilst we cannot control, track, or monitor infected individuals coming into this country from USA, UK, or elsewhere, would be a very worrying development." Have the GAA confirmed that there will be a championship regardless of whether fans will be able to attend? Without having delved in to detailed figures I would imagine that it might cost money to hold the inter county championship behind closed doors. The TV and commercial revenue really isn't that substantial and teams will have the same, if not more costs. I don't see it going ahead at all if that is the case.
The government are in absolute terror of having to shut the country down again. I suppose if we get over the summer, schools return and there is no major spike they may allow limited crowds at outdoor events. We will just have to wait and see.
GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 16/07/2020 22:13:06
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Horan says "I have a bit of an issue with the closed doors concept. If it is safe enough for the players to be in close contact on the pitch, then it is going to be safe enough to have a certain number of people in the ground gathering" eh no that is rubbish. In a stand shoulder to shoulder with people for a few hours just forget it, don't even go there. What with some ignoramus behind you sneezing and splutering into your space and in the pits of winter!! No thanks and all for an amateur game - what an irresponseible ridiculous statement. GAA and the tiny minoroity that really don't care too much about the rest of society would want to catch itself on, peoples business, livlihoods, not to mention health have been utterly wiped out. They can't even adhere to their own advice so they pass the parcel to county boards and clubs. Ultimately the book stops at the GAA HQ end off, just man up and for once do the right thing instead of being repeatedly being shamed into it.
arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 16/07/2020 22:57:22
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Replying To Yondu: "IMO a wrong decision yesterday by the government, The 500 for outdoor gatherings should have been left alone.
If GAA Club matches can't have at least 500 in attendance when we have 0.3% positivity testing rate then when will it be allowed?
As far inter county football goes. All I see going ahead now is the completion of the NFL, I don't see HQ going ahead with the championship if 40 to 50% capacity isnt allowed and the chances of that happening now with an over cautious new government is very slim." Its not a rule for the GAA but for everyone in all parts of the ROI. You could argue that different parts of the country could be treated differently to others as these are club games and very little cross county attendance but even thats difficult for border clubs. Not all GAA grounds are the same as well - 500 people in Wexford Park is not an issue even if raining but 500 people in another grounds with rain may become an issue as the available shelter may be limited. Perhaps the GAA could themselves show some leadership and ask that everyone who is a spectator wears a facemask and has the tracker app on their phone activated. They don't release the numbers but there must be a high worry that a high portion of the cases are still coming from unknown sources which still pose a high risk.
40% 50% capacity of some grounds would be more than they would get at some of the early games anyway so you could start it at that rate however some will pose issues and perhaps it is the facemask and tracker that might help increase the attendance. Its a bit like having car insurance I guess.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1800 - 17/07/2020 02:33:16
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "Becoming clearer and clearer that Championship will be held, effectively, behind closed doors. Regardless of how we progress through the phases in the coming few months, I think it would be wholly irresponsible to allow a gathering of potentially 28,000 people before a vaccine is widely available.
It would be a different question if we had the virus suppressed and had a handle of cases coming into the country.
To allow large gatherings of people again, whilst we cannot control, track, or monitor infected individuals coming into this country from USA, UK, or elsewhere, would be a very worrying development." Looking at the case numbers in Ireland i think its fairly suppressed already. Of course cases will slightly rise when restrictions are lifted but i find it strange how and why Ireland aren't going into phase 4 as planned this Monday? If the only choice in October is behind closed doors it will mean big increases on cases and i don't see the GAA for a number of reason agreeing with that type of championship.
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3338 - 17/07/2020 06:04:38
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Replying To GeniusGerry: "Have the GAA confirmed that there will be a championship regardless of whether fans will be able to attend? Without having delved in to detailed figures I would imagine that it might cost money to hold the inter county championship behind closed doors. The TV and commercial revenue really isn't that substantial and teams will have the same, if not more costs. I don't see it going ahead at all if that is the case.
The government are in absolute terror of having to shut the country down again. I suppose if we get over the summer, schools return and there is no major spike they may allow limited crowds at outdoor events. We will just have to wait and see." my take in all this is how are the goverment going to stop the spread by having teams play in empty stadiums...as then the supporters are just going to pack themselves into the local pubs to watch these games and spend the day there drinking which to me is a lot worse than having supporters 1 or 2 metres apart at the match.
munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1095 - 17/07/2020 11:43:53
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Replying To munsterchamps: "my take in all this is how are the goverment going to stop the spread by having teams play in empty stadiums...as then the supporters are just going to pack themselves into the local pubs to watch these games and spend the day there drinking which to me is a lot worse than having supporters 1 or 2 metres apart at the match." No guarantee the pubs will reopened km August 10th. I see Horan complaining about the crowd of 500 being reduced. He should have been advising County boards to stream the the club championship, make some bit of revenue m
FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 17/07/2020 12:15:24
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Replying To FoolsGold: "No guarantee the pubs will reopened km August 10th. I see Horan complaining about the crowd of 500 being reduced. He should have been advising County boards to stream the the club championship, make some bit of revenue m" did you not see the gaa fixtures the matches arent starting until late october....i didnt say there were matches on in august.
munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1095 - 17/07/2020 12:32:53
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Horan is a hypocrite of the highest order, a few weeks ago he went on prime time TV on a Sunday night and said while social distancing is in place there would in no way be football or hurling this year, now as the R number is rising rapidly and we are at risk of a second wave heading into winter he is asking can more crowds gather to pay in for club championship matches, what a turnaround, money talks, not only is he now happy for all activity to take place even though social distancing is never more important as now, he is begging the government to allow bigger crowds mingle at matches, and dont kid yourselves this is down to money and nothing else, i hope the government tell him where to go
dec (None) - Posts: 268 - 17/07/2020 12:43:12
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Replying To dec: "Horan is a hypocrite of the highest order, a few weeks ago he went on prime time TV on a Sunday night and said while social distancing is in place there would in no way be football or hurling this year, now as the R number is rising rapidly and we are at risk of a second wave heading into winter he is asking can more crowds gather to pay in for club championship matches, what a turnaround, money talks, not only is he now happy for all activity to take place even though social distancing is never more important as now, he is begging the government to allow bigger crowds mingle at matches, and dont kid yourselves this is down to money and nothing else, i hope the government tell him where to go" agree totally, it is embarrassing when pubs are being told that they cannot open for the foreseeable you have the president of the GAA coming out begging that they be allowed to have 500 paying customers at club games, does he not read or watch the news? and yes he was on national tv stating no activity while social distancing is in place and now this just as cases are rising and the R number is near 1.8, absolutely a money driven request with no care for public health, this is what is so wrong with the present GAA
Tod (Kerry) - Posts: 31 - 17/07/2020 12:57:27
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Replying To munsterchamps: "did you not see the gaa fixtures the matches arent starting until late october....i didnt say there were matches on in august." You said fans would pack into the pubs. No guantee pubs will be open in October. The flu season will be starting then so could be a right mess
FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 17/07/2020 13:34:00
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Replying To Tod: "agree totally, it is embarrassing when pubs are being told that they cannot open for the foreseeable you have the president of the GAA coming out begging that they be allowed to have 500 paying customers at club games, does he not read or watch the news? and yes he was on national tv stating no activity while social distancing is in place and now this just as cases are rising and the R number is near 1.8, absolutely a money driven request with no care for public health, this is what is so wrong with the present GAA" It is embarresing, when health officials are seriously considering going back to phase 2 the president of the GAA is speaking, well hopefully for himself. Absurd.
arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 17/07/2020 13:50:36
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