GAA and COVID-19: Is it worth it?

[SpeculativeEffort]

Just a thread to gauge the general mood in the county around this pandemic. I know the enthusiasm was high when training and games returned in July but has it waned? Are people enjoying being involved or is the uncertainty, form filling and protocols draining your energy? The latest behind closed doors directive only dilutes the impact further. The uncertainty and flipflopping about attending childrens games is also unresolved.

Basically we should...
1.Pack it in for 2020?
Or
2. Plough on?

[SCFC]

Just a thread to gauge the general mood in the county around this pandemic. I know the enthusiasm was high when training and games returned in July but has it wained? Are people enjoying being involved or is the uncertainty, form filling and protocols draining your energy? The latest behind closed doors directive only dilutes the impact further. The uncertainty and flipflopping about attending childrens games is also unresolved.

Basically we should...
1.Pack it in for 2020?
Or
2. Plough on?

It has completely waned in my opinion. I'm not involved in juvenile teams so can't offer a view but I do think the whole momentum that had been generated was completely knocked back by the 16 day lockdown in Laois. I can only guess that the lower grade championships will lack all interest. Personally, I don't think it's fair relegating any club this year on the basis of this truncated, rushed job of a championship (hurling and football).

[redsetanta]

If anything it will get worse before it gets better. The big fear for the medical profession is from October onwards with the winter flu and weather change etc.

It will end up being a rushed campaign and if there was promotion/relegation expect plenty of trouble.

[SpeculativeEffort]

I feel like the enthusiasm is gone too especially now with no supporters. Juvenile coaches are being left in a horrible limbo. All these people are trying to do the right thing and help out with their community teams but the likes of Stephen Donnelly doesnt seem to have any awareness of child protection or best practice. The GAA has worked very hard for years to bring their coaching and child welfare to a high standard and his statements are leaving coaches very unsure.

Ive added a poll as I can see a few hundred views on the thread and not everyone wants to comment.

[Keyser Söze]

Madness to think we can keep going in my opinion. This virus is far from beaten. Schools open & poorer weather are going to have a major effect on the ability to control outbreaks.
Juvenile mentors must be drove demented at this stage! We are going to see outbreaks in schools- there are little more then a handful of secondary schools in the county. The knock on is obvious.
Again, I hope I am wrong!

[6th sam]

Madness to think we can keep going in my opinion. This virus is far from beaten. Schools open & poorer weather are going to have a major effect on the ability to control outbreaks.
Juvenile mentors must be drove demented at this stage! We are going to see outbreaks in schools- there are little more then a handful of secondary schools in the county. The knock on is obvious.
Again, I hope I am wrong!

It's interesting that many follow government guidance on everything yet disagree on schools. There is a risk that return to schools will increase the spread of the virus , but how long can we keep children away from education and socialisation. What about those vulnerable children who at least get some respite and monitoring by professionals in schools?
Full Home schooling will preferentially affect "poorer" children , and poverty will increase as the result of virus restrictions.
We must invest heavily in ensuring as safe an environment as possible for pupils and staff, and monitor it closely, but I genuinely think that we have to try to get schools open urgently for education and social reasons. The loss of a year's school for a whole generation seems to be a much bigger risk to society than the direct effects of Covid 19.

[town1980]

Can yee piss and moan somewhere else,ask any club player even my own club are raring to go supporters or no supporters at least it will give us something to talk about,,,so piss of the moaners

[Keyser Söze]

Hi 6th Sam.
I'm certainly not arguing against schools reopening and fully understand why they should reopen.
You say there is a risk that return to school will increase spread. I think it's more than a risk, it's a guarantee. Ultimately we can do without competitive sport. Education & economics will take precedence and competitive sport will be among the areas to be sacrificed as outbreaks rise. That's my opinion.

[SpeculativeEffort]

Can yee piss and moan somewhere else,ask any club player even my own club are raring to go supporters or no supporters at least it will give us something to talk about,,,so piss of the moaners

In fairness the thread was started to gauge opinion. You can give yours without trying to influence others.

[thewobbler]

There has been a genuine buzz around club since Return to Play. Record turnouts at adult level, and pretty much a full book of locals at all juvenile levels.

Obviously this could take a tanking at any minute with a change of policy. But for now, we are making hay.

[BallyroanAbu]

It's been great regard player numbers, makes you realise how important it is in our society.

[The PRO]

Can yee piss and moan somewhere else,ask any club player even my own club are raring to go supporters or no supporters at least it will give us something to talk about,,,so piss of the moaners

It's just people's opinions. Who are to tell anyone to piss off?
I'm delighted your club are raring to go but I know a young lad sitting at home tonight heartbroken because he can't tog out for his club in the senior championship this week because of Covid and the associated risks for his family.

[town1980]

I'm sure then the poor chap hasn't been training and of course I respect that sort of decision ,my point being here is we don't need to be down the whole time,,I'm gutted for any player making the decision but his obviously not involved with his panel so both him and the team are prepared for it .?

[The PRO]

I'm sure then the poor chap hasn't been training and of course I respect that sort of decision ,my point being here is we don't need to be down the whole time,,I'm gutted for any player making the decision but his obviously not involved with his panel so both him and the team are prepared for it .?

You're wrong. Chap has trained as much as anyone, mostly on his own, then started to join non contact club sessions, hoping that he'd be in a position to play come championship time. But with the numbers how they are, it's not safe for him to play.

[BallyroanAbu]

Can yee piss and moan somewhere else,ask any club player even my own club are raring to go supporters or no supporters at least it will give us something to talk about,,,so piss of the moaners

It's just people's opinions. Who are to tell anyone to piss off?
I'm delighted your club are raring to go but I know a young lad sitting at home tonight heartbroken because he can't tog out for his club in the senior championship this week because of Covid and the associated risks for his family.

Unfortunately there will always be people unable to play each year for many different reasons,  however we must continue on.  That does not make light of this situation, however waiting for a vaccine to resume "normality" could be a long wait.