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GAA President John Horan believes that the protocols established around Covid testing at the GAA satisfy gamers.
Shortly before the resumption of the inter-county championship, the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) called for testing “at the earliest possible date” after a survey of members found that just over half were content to proceed with inter-county action under current guidelines. and protocols.
Louth football captain Bevan Duffy was among those who voiced their own concerns regarding the lack of evidence.
The GAA and GPA reached an agreement on the Covid-19 measures two weeks ago and, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, Horan said the protocols now in place appear to be satisfactory to players, indicating that they have not received no communication from the GPA to suggest otherwise.
He also explained why mass testing has not been considered a priority.
“Doctors from all teams in the county have caught up with current protocols,” he told listeners.
“It is not recommended practice to do mass testing. We have a Covid committee that has a lot of medical experience and the advice from that is that testing should be done when needed.
“We brought a screening program and there are also PCR tests available. They are available to any player at any time if there is a concern on the part of a player or team. It is not implemented massively because that is not medically considered the approach.” .
Horan, speaking about the first round draw of Ireland’s pitching heats, said the screening program was introduced to allay fears, something he is satisfied that it has served its purpose.
“Since then, I think everything has been satisfactory for the players and we certainly have not had contact with the GPA because he feels there are big concerns.
“We have been in the championship for two weeks and three weeks playing games and I think everything has gone well.”
Feargal McGill, GAA Director of Player, Club and Game Administration, has previously stated that postponements would only be granted when there is a 13-day window between the round in which the team seeks the postponement and the next round of competition. .
Horan reiterated his stance that Covid-related postponements would only be entertained for the later stages of the championship.
We have contingency plans in place if we have a problem in the Irish semi-finals or final.
“It would not be our decision around the availability of a player or team. We would be guided by the public health authorities, whose opinion we have to continually take and respect.
“We have contingency plans in case we have a problem in the semi-finals or final in Ireland.
“Until then, the games must go on. Everyone appreciates and accepts the narrow time frame that we’ve found ourselves in. That has been established.”
Fears about what could happen after an all-Ireland win for a county have been discussed, given some scenes witnessed at the club level, but Horan hopes the country will be more in tune with the dangers posed by meetings celebrating what was. at the beginning of the year.
I can assure everyone that we will not start again at the end of January as is the norm.
“I hope people have learned lessons and if teams win, we are in different times and you have to accept that everything you do must be done in a responsible way.”
The GAA president also confirmed that the 2021 inter-county season will begin later than usual in January, though details won’t be clarified until later in the year.
“We are looking at our plans for next year at this time. I can assure everyone that we will not start at the end of January as is the norm, but it would be our intention to present a program later in the year.”
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