Should the 2020 championship be cancelled?

[Baile Brigín 2]

Of course a lot of people want the games cancelled simply because it's the gaa and they don't like it. That's fine but I don't particularly care on their opinion as they will use any opportunity to get a dig at the gaa. The agenda is already an anti gaa one as no one is discussing the league of ireland or pro 14 who's players also live in the community. These people will completely ignore the huge joy the gaa games bring to many thousands of people. There'll be plenty of sick or lonely people at the minute who will find a bit of normality and hope from the gaa going ahead.

TBF, there aren't too many of those on here, most posters are diehard GAA people. I only posed the question to get a feel for what GAA people think about it

I agree with your general point though that it's only the GAA championship that's being discussed in the media rather than LoI (vast majority amateur) or pro 14 (vast majority professional but with an international element which must increase risk)

The vast majority of the LoI are not amateur. Union rules mean they all get paid. But they have 4 games left and were a model of how to manage it.

Ditto rugby. They are in bubbles and regultested in a way the GAA didn't deem worth it.

The reason the GAA is being discussed is the shambles of the last month.

[Baile Brigín 2]

The championship could and should be run without crowds. You can eliminate the nonsense at the clubs. However its what happens after the games that as a community we need to cop on.

[macdanger2]

Of course a lot of people want the games cancelled simply because it's the gaa and they don't like it. That's fine but I don't particularly care on their opinion as they will use any opportunity to get a dig at the gaa. The agenda is already an anti gaa one as no one is discussing the league of ireland or pro 14 who's players also live in the community. These people will completely ignore the huge joy the gaa games bring to many thousands of people. There'll be plenty of sick or lonely people at the minute who will find a bit of normality and hope from the gaa going ahead.

TBF, there aren't too many of those on here, most posters are diehard GAA people. I only posed the question to get a feel for what GAA people think about it

I agree with your general point though that it's only the GAA championship that's being discussed in the media rather than LoI (vast majority amateur) or pro 14 (vast majority professional but with an international element which must increase risk)

The vast majority of the LoI are not amateur. Union rules mean they all get paid. But they have 4 games left and were a model of how to manage it.

Ditto rugby. They are in bubbles and regultested in a way the GAA didn't deem worth it.

The reason the GAA is being discussed is the shambles of the last month.

They may get paid but the vast majority have jobs other than playing football

[Blowitupref]

It's a no from me. To be honest I have little trust or confidence in this government but the national public health emergency team reckon its ok to play the GAA Championship in level 5 then that's good enough for me.

Has been little or no known spread of this virus from playing matches outdoors which I'm sure NPHET have taken into account. The most disappointing thing about the upcoming championship is no supporters allowed to attend and let's be honest it won't be the same without that roar and passion of supporters driving their team on.

[trileacman]

The problem is that the club games were played when infection numbers were low. Now they are rising exponentially. It's not the threat that teams can infect each other on the pitch it's the threat of an outbreak in a changing room/ training session. It's very hard to practice social distancing and still prepare as needed for elite GAA football.

In the end it's about risk to players and more so their families. What about all the players who are in contact with relatives who are high risk groups, overweight/diabetic/heart disease? Are we asking them to choose between risking their loved ones lives and their sense of duty to their team mates and friends? My opinion is that if we only had one death caused by the championship going ahead it's far to high a price to pay.

It's also unsettling that we seem to value a GAA championship more than the economy and the livelihood of tens of thousands of citizens. It seems illogical that we expect thousands of businesses to make big sacrifices but not expect the same of GAA fans.

There is no use of changing rooms this year.

Nobody has to play if they're uncomfortable doing so or if they fear they're putting a relative or anyone else at risk by playing.

People die because of football and hurling all the time. Mainly in road accidents. Should we just shut down shop permanently because of this?

A typical straw man argument. People wearing seatbelts die in road accidents all the time. Why should we bother wearing seatbelts if we can still die in road accidents?

Because it's a precaution that can lower fatality rates. Likewise no football championship is a precaution that can lower fatality rates.

[five points]

A typical straw man argument. People wearing seatbelts die in road accidents all the time. Why should we bother wearing seatbelts if we can still die in road accidents?

Because it's a precaution that can lower fatality rates. Likewise no football championship is a precaution that can lower fatality rates.

This has nothing to do with seatbelts, which itself is the definition of a straw man. It's a fact of life that people die at or in incidents connected to matches and other major events. We don't ban all these events.

[dublin7]

No I don't think it should. LOI and the championship should both be cancelled. Rugby players are professionals who can stick to their own bubble for training, games etc.  but the GAA and LOI players are travelling all over the country training together and then going into work environments the next day.

Based on the Louth captain's interview a few days ago and what happened in the club championships it doesn't seem as though any meaningful testing is going on so it's difficult to have much faith in the GAA that they'll get this right

[Redhand Santa]

The problem is that the club games were played when infection numbers were low. Now they are rising exponentially. It's not the threat that teams can infect each other on the pitch it's the threat of an outbreak in a changing room/ training session. It's very hard to practice social distancing and still prepare as needed for elite GAA football.

In the end it's about risk to players and more so their families. What about all the players who are in contact with relatives who are high risk groups, overweight/diabetic/heart disease? Are we asking them to choose between risking their loved ones lives and their sense of duty to their team mates and friends? My opinion is that if we only had one death caused by the championship going ahead it's far to high a price to pay.

It's also unsettling that we seem to value a GAA championship more than the economy and the livelihood of tens of thousands of citizens. It seems illogical that we expect thousands of businesses to make big sacrifices but not expect the same of GAA fans.

There is no use of changing rooms this year.

Nobody has to play if they're uncomfortable doing so or if they fear they're putting a relative or anyone else at risk by playing.

People die because of football and hurling all the time. Mainly in road accidents. Should we just shut down shop permanently because of this?

A typical straw man argument. People wearing seatbelts die in road accidents all the time. Why should we bother wearing seatbelts if we can still die in road accidents?

Because it's a precaution that can lower fatality rates. Likewise no football championship is a precaution that can lower fatality rates.

Yes but seatbelts and other things help limit the risk to an acceptable level (and accidents do still happen). In your example you wouldn't wear a seatbelt because you wouldn't get into a car as there is an element of risk to it.

In terms of the gaa continuing there are a number of steps being taken to help limit the risk including no spectators to avoid gatherings at the ground, no team huddles, limited or no use of dressing room, protocols around travelling together etc. With all these things considered the public health authorities have deemed it acceptable and that the risk is being managed to an acceptable level. Surely they are the people to ask in terms of the risk and whether they think the activity is appropriate and as close to safe as you can get?

[Captain Obvious]

Based on the Louth captain's interview a few days ago and what happened in the club championships it doesn't seem as though any meaningful testing is going on so it's difficult to have much faith in the GAA that they'll get this right

Based on the captain of a Louth team who probably are one group of players that had no desire to return to play. Relegation to Division 4 at the weekend and will likely have 1 championship game.

Rapid testing introduction is very useful however for those that don't already know and that includes the Louth captain it seems? This testing is to be requested than mandatory

[Baile Brigín 2]

Of course a lot of people want the games cancelled simply because it's the gaa and they don't like it. That's fine but I don't particularly care on their opinion as they will use any opportunity to get a dig at the gaa. The agenda is already an anti gaa one as no one is discussing the league of ireland or pro 14 who's players also live in the community. These people will completely ignore the huge joy the gaa games bring to many thousands of people. There'll be plenty of sick or lonely people at the minute who will find a bit of normality and hope from the gaa going ahead.

TBF, there aren't too many of those on here, most posters are diehard GAA people. I only posed the question to get a feel for what GAA people think about it

I agree with your general point though that it's only the GAA championship that's being discussed in the media rather than LoI (vast majority amateur) or pro 14 (vast majority professional but with an international element which must increase risk)

The vast majority of the LoI are not amateur. Union rules mean they all get paid. But they have 4 games left and were a model of how to manage it.

Ditto rugby. They are in bubbles and regultested in a way the GAA didn't deem worth it.

The reason the GAA is being discussed is the shambles of the last month.

They may get paid but the vast majority have jobs other than playing football

As an aside

I'm not sure the 'vast majority' are semi pro. There are 20 clubs. Shamrock Rovers x2, Cork, Dundalk, Waterford, Derry, Sligo and Pats are full time, Bohs and Shels a mix meaning only Harps are semi pro in the Premier. In the first Rovers are full time and UCD full time students. So of the 20 teams 9 are fully pro, 2 mixed and 9 not.

[seafoid]

Public opinion will drive whether or not the all Ireland goes ahead. Maybe people need it.
If it is cancelled that will be the end of the 6 in a row. Every cloud has a silver lining.

[macdanger2]

As an aside

I'm not sure the 'vast majority' are semi pro. There are 20 clubs. Shamrock Rovers x2, Cork, Dundalk, Waterford, Derry, Sligo and Pats are full time, Bohs and Shels a mix meaning only Harps are semi pro in the Premier. In the first Rovers are full time and UCD full time students. So of the 20 teams 9 are fully pro, 2 mixed and 9 not.

I didn't realise that there were that many fully pro clubs tbh.

The point is valid for LoI D1 though

[dublin7]

Based on the Louth captain's interview a few days ago and what happened in the club championships it doesn't seem as though any meaningful testing is going on so it's difficult to have much faith in the GAA that they'll get this right

Based on the captain of a Louth team who probably are one group of players that had no desire to return to play. Relegation to Division 4 at the weekend and will likely have 1 championship game.

Rapid testing introduction is very useful however for those that don't already know and that includes the Louth captain it seems? This testing is to be requested than mandatory

24% of players don't want to play and another 24% are unhappy playing under the current system. That's almost 50% of the players not just the Louth captain/team uncomfortable playing at the moment.

[DuffleKing]

The main problem we have surrounding both the management of the pandemic broadly and the issue of elite sport continuing specifically is that the vast majority of people commenting on both don't understand public health guidance or haven't even read it. The Louth captain is a perfect example. He's under the impression that "The GAA" would be landing down to wrap lads in a bubble? Given that whoever took his comments hadn't the wit to question what he was saying we can safely assume the lack of understanding out there is considerable.

The granting of "Elite status" affords the relevant units of the association the opportunity to meet all of the steps required by the status and to then continue playing and training safely. If anyone needs advice or help achieving that then they can ask the covid group in Croke Park - which some counties have done. If you still can't meet the obligations then you bow out and don't put the competitions at risk.

The attitude "If I can't do X then sports people shouldn't be able to do Y" is both selfish and short sighted. We have loons everywhere pontificating on issues they aren't even half informed on and social media amplifies the problem.

[Captain Obvious]

Based on the Louth captain's interview a few days ago and what happened in the club championships it doesn't seem as though any meaningful testing is going on so it's difficult to have much faith in the GAA that they'll get this right

Based on the captain of a Louth team who probably are one group of players that had no desire to return to play. Relegation to Division 4 at the weekend and will likely have 1 championship game.

Rapid testing introduction is very useful however for those that don't already know and that includes the Louth captain it seems? This testing is to be requested than mandatory

24% of players don't want to play and another 24% are unhappy playing under the current system. That's almost 50% of the players not just the Louth captain/team uncomfortable playing at the moment.

Ask them again now that they got over a weekend of action, after NPHET have given the recommendation that GAA can continue and in the knowledge that rapid testing is available on request.

Louth aren't the only county with little interest on returning so 24% is no surprise. It's also worth noting 26% of the GAA inter-county players didn't vote in that survey.