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The “2020 Inter-County Shooting and Football Championships” are highly unlikely “to begin before July, the GAA confirmed in a statement this afternoon.
Three days before the Special Congress held remotely on Friday to examine possibilities for next season, the GAA said they noted the extension of government restrictions and indicated that the championships will be delayed until later in the summer.
“The inter-county top championships, scheduled to begin in May, will be postponed until there is more clarity on the current situation,” the GAA said.
“However, the Association believes that it is highly unlikely that they will be rescheduled anytime before early July, at the earliest.”
The organization also indicated that it still intended to complete the Allianz League season, if possible, with priority in games affecting promotion and relegation.
“When sports activity is recommended, the GAA will accommodate club and county games. The Association also intends to complete the Allianz Leagues, or at least those games that are related to next year’s divisions, when possible.” he added.
With no league games played in any of the codes since March 8 and the championship originally scheduled to start in the first half of May, the Covid-19 pandemic has been accepted as inevitable to radically alter the 2020 inter-county calendar .
Speaking to RTÉ Sport this afternoon, GAA Director of Communications Alan Milton said May “will fall” following the government’s announcement of the extension of social distancing restrictions until May 5.
And while some, like Cork manager Kieran Kingston, asked the GAA to provide clarity on whether the provincial championships would proceed and set a tentative date for return to action, Milton argued that announcing a “fixed” game show. it would not be prudent. in what was a fluid situation.
“The month of May will fall in light of the government’s latest statement that May 5 is the new deadline,” Milton told RTÉ Jacqui Hurley.
“I think everyone agrees that there will have to be protocols to play again.”
“In general, it is difficult to see any activity taking place in the month of May at any level within the GAA.
“Several weeks ago, at the beginning of this crisis, a series of contingency plans were developed that still exist.
“But I don’t know how prudent it would be for the GAA to come up with fixed programs or plans and then see it change every week or two.”
“It wouldn’t give the right impression. It would look like organized chaos. We take our leadership from the medical experts and this is how the GAA will operate.”
There had been speculation that the Allianz Leagues would have to be left incomplete, a result that would require a change in the planned soccer championships as a minimum, but Milton said the GAA still cares about prioritizing finishing the leagues if and when the action returns.
“We have audited the league games that are outstanding. Some of them are critical or very important. Some are not that important. And we would give priority, in a scenario where we are playing again, in a way to ensure that Allianz Leagues are complete.
“There will be no shortage of activity if and when we play again, and you can be sure that club level games will be as important as county level games.”
A remote GAA Special Congress will be held this Friday, paving the way for any major changes that need to be made to this year’s county football and pitching championships.
The Special Congress, which Marty Morrissey, a correspondent for RTÉ Sport at the GAA, reported that he will have one county delegate in a conference call, will decide whether to delegate decision-making powers generally reserved to Congress to an emergency committee, likely the GAA Administrative Committee in consultation with Central Council.
“Congress this Friday is being organized solely to help us adapt to these changing circumstances,” said Milton.
“It will try to empower a small group of people so that they can change our competencies if necessary.
“At this time, we have not yet arrived. The idea of convening a full Congress is not practical. We just do not know what the deadlines will be, but as soon as we are clear, we will reach some of the scenarios. I have already referred and ask which body is best suited to help us complete our season when possible. “
When asked about the most pessimistic predictions for the coming year, Milton said the GAA would await official direction. In response to this week’s questions, Medical Director Tony Holohan admitted that it could be difficult to tolerate mass meetings at any time this year.
“We are waiting to sit down with the HSE and relevant officials and hear it directly from the horse’s mouth,” Milton emphasized.
“We haven’t had that communication yet. If it were to come, it would obviously be a very, very challenging scenario, not just for the GAA, I might add, but for all the organizations that people come together to participate in or attend.
“We all hope that it does not come to that. It is one of the reasons why we have been so proactive in advising and encouraging not only our members but all citizens to be as responsible as they can be. Because as soon as possible we can in addition to this , maybe the situation could improve sooner than the opposite. “
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