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Pat Spillane believes the GAA “kicked the can” down the road with its most recent statement regarding the 2020 championships, while Anthony Daly argues the longest-term view was the correct call.
Earlier this week the Association announced that it still plans to hold club and inter-county championships in 2020, but ruled out any inter-county action before October.
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, counties have been asked to suspend all activity until 20 July and there has been discussion from various stakeholders, managers, referees, players and officials, as to whether the 2020 season should be abandoned.
Speaking on RTÉ’s GAA podcasts, a number of Sunday Game pundits have had their say and former Kerry great Spillane said that many rural areas, such as his native Templenoe, are not as affected as urban areas and thinks players should be allowed to at least meet in smaller numbers.
“I think we are being too cautious,” he said. “You see what we did with the Leaving Cert, we kicked that can down the road with no plan, and now, look what has happened.
“I think there is an element of that with the GAA and I think we need to address it a bit quicker.”
I think the GAA were right to puck it down the road a little bit for the time being
Former All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly however takes the viewpoint that the GAA has made a wise decision and can see how other sporting bodies get on over the coming weeks and months, citing the example of the German Bundesliga which resumes next weekend.
“I think we are going to have to see how others get on,” he said. “Maybe that’s an advantage we have.
“I think the GAA were right to puck it down the road a little bit for the time being.
“There are so many unknowns, but I would still cling to the hope that we will have a 2020 club and championships played.”
Seán Cavanagh appeared on the football podcast alongside Spillane and agreed with the main thrust of the Kerryman’s argument.
He said: “The younger generations are suffering at the moment. There comes a point where the mental health and social aspect of the GAA helps people get through this.
“I hope common sense comes in along the line. I know the GAA has to be cautious, but at the same point, there has to be a tipping point, particularly for the younger members, that they can summarize a bit quicker than maybe the guidelines are suggesting. ”
Offaly County Board chairman Michael Duignan expressed his hope that GAA action will resume this year, but believes it pales into insignificance as long as the virus continues to have such a devastating impact.
“We have to wait and see how society reacts over the next few weeks, but I don’t think it is fair to put pressure on the GAA to open up.
“We have been in lockdown for seven or eight weeks yet there are still people dying every day. That’s the reality.”
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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