GAA Response to Coronavirus

[rodney trotter]

They are having the meeting on Wednesday about the structure of County and Club in the future.  February to July being mentioned for County, rest of the year for Club.
Took a pandemic to look into something which could have been done a long time ago.

[Rossfan]

Every pundit is now proclaiming that a split season...5 months inter County and 5 months Club.. is the way to go.
Nobody mentioning downsides if any?
Are there downsides and what might they be?

[thewobbler]

The only downside I've noted from an earlier discussion is that every other year the business end of the Championship is going to clash with the World Cup or the Euros, and inevitably a major GAA game will have to go head to head with an Ireland soccer match.

Someone else was worried that this will make it easier for players to go the USA for the summer. He actually seemed to prefer a disjointed seasons as it means Johnny-don't-much-for-club-ball might be available for a couple more club games.


But as long as county boards have the stones / will to strictly close county training for the best part of 6 months a year, this will likely be an amazing boon for the association.

[6th sam]

Every pundit is now proclaiming that a split season...5 months inter County and 5 months Club.. is the way to go.
Nobody mentioning downsides if any?
Are there downsides and what might they be?

1 potential downside is the loss of the extended marketing Exposure and income generation of a long Intercounty season. However international rugby doesn't seem to suffer from a short season, and top end club football has an attraction of its own .
If properly organised and marketed ,a compact Intercounty season could actually increase gate and sponsorship revenue whilst reducing costs.
I genuinely don't think there are any major downsides to a compact Intercounty season for The GAA, or supporters or players.

[Rossfan]

The organising/marketing at present is a set up where Counties play 9 or 10 (relatively) unimportant games in the muck of January to March with limited public interest.
Then most Counties play on average 3 games in the Summer where only some Provincial and the closing stages if the AI generate much public interest.
By public interest I mean the non diehard types who like all sports and who we tempt into a few big games each Summer.
A well organised shorter more intense County season with most games relevant/important would indeed likely generate more public interest and €€€€€.

But are we going to have Club players idle 7 months a year?
Be a great boon for Soccerball and ruggerball?

[BennyCake]

What would happen if there's a lockdown in certain counties as that county is to play in the championship?

Say Kildare have to travel to Louth, how does that work? Lately, Kildare people weren't allowed to leave the county? Can the Kildare team travel outside for a match?

[smort]

The organising/marketing at present is a set up where Counties play 9 or 10 (relatively) unimportant games in the muck of January to March with limited public interest.
Then most Counties play on average 3 games in the Summer where only some Provincial and the closing stages if the AI generate much public interest.
By public interest I mean the non diehard types who like all sports and who we tempt into a few big games each Summer.
A well organised shorter more intense County season with most games relevant/important would indeed likely generate more public interest and €€€€€.

But are we going to have Club players idle 7 months a year?
Be a great boon for Soccerball and ruggerball?

Maybe regional or provincial preseason club leagues, as the intercounty season is coming to an end. Any sanctions from these games to relate to club championship to keep discipline in check

[6th sam]

The organising/marketing at present is a set up where Counties play 9 or 10 (relatively) unimportant games in the muck of January to March with limited public interest.
Then most Counties play on average 3 games in the Summer where only some Provincial and the closing stages if the AI generate much public interest.
By public interest I mean the non diehard types who like all sports and who we tempt into a few big games each Summer.
A well organised shorter more intense County season with most games relevant/important would indeed likely generate more public interest and €€€€€.

But are we going to have Club players idle 7 months a year?
Be a great boon for Soccerball and ruggerball?

The success of this is totally contingent on a "starred" club season, when pre-season and matches go ahead without county players. This keeps all players active and allows clubs to give "fringe" players an opportunity to play for their senior club team and stake a claim for a place when county men return. This already happens successfully in provincial and international rugby.

[armaghniac]

What would happen if there's a lockdown in certain counties as that county is to play in the championship?

Say Kildare have to travel to Louth, how does that work? Lately, Kildare people weren't allowed to leave the county? Can the Kildare team travel outside for a match?

If Down people are not allowed go to Armagh will they be able to use Pairc Esler?

[BennyCake]

What would happen if there's a lockdown in certain counties as that county is to play in the championship?

Say Kildare have to travel to Louth, how does that work? Lately, Kildare people weren't allowed to leave the county? Can the Kildare team travel outside for a match?

If Down people are not allowed go to Armagh will they be able to use Pairc Esler?

The whole Down team will have to stay inside the Down half of the Pairc Esler pitch. They can't venture beyond their own '50.

[Rossfan]

Sounds like a typical modern football game!

[Targetman]

What would happen if there's a lockdown in certain counties as that county is to play in the championship?

Say Kildare have to travel to Louth, how does that work? Lately, Kildare people weren't allowed to leave the county? Can the Kildare team travel outside for a match?

If Down people are not allowed go to Armagh will they be able to use Pairc Esler?

The whole Down team will have to stay inside the Down half of the Pairc Esler pitch. They can't venture beyond their own '50.

FFS they've been doing that this 3/4 years

[Rossfan]

Hmmmmm....

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40033820.html

[Taylor]

Hmmmmm....

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40033820.html

Are the GAA finances being mis-managed?

How can they need financial assistance when a season is only a few months and what financial assistance could they need.

I mean how much does it really cost to run the games this season (assume TV money will still come in)

[Rossfan]

Central GAA gives 84% back to its units and doesn't have reserves.
It's had to cut pay to all its employees.
It won't be able to pay the bills this year.
Media and sponsorship of the AI Championships might get the annual bills paid.
The Provincial Councils' main source of income are the Provincial Championships.
Most Co Boards are in effect getting no income from their Co Chamoionships and most of them have debts.