Friday was the sanctioned return to training date for inter-county teams, six weeks ahead of the commencement of pre-season competition.
There have been the usual anecdotes of teams back in fitness testing well before today's official return, stories of players running in pods, working in gyms and holding meetings.
But, even still, this evening’s official resumption is a landmark that has led to much debate in recent months – and will arouse even more scrutiny at next year’s annual GAA congress.
The return to training arrives at a time when the GPA advocates a closed November.
It arrives as some provincial councils are adamantly stating the income which pre-season competitions deliver is vital to the running of their operations.
And the return to training comes just weeks before the GAA’s Amateur Status report is published.
Also looming is a Congress vote on a proposed new championship calendar, which could once again see the elimination of pre-season fare.
For some time now Tom Parsons and the GPA have argued that the return of pre-season competitions forces teams to start training too early.
They have published sports science reports recommending a six-week preparation period before competitive matches.
Ideally, they want a "No Contact November" principle, arguing that breaking this increases the risk of injury.
On the other side of the fence provincial councils have testified to the significant gate receipts which have been lost – vital income that typically trickles down to county boards and clubs within each region.
Without the FBD League last season, Connacht GAA estimated that it lost €100,000 through gate receipts and sponsorship.
Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan estimated a loss of over £300,000 for the same period, which included grant aid for clubs that was forfeited.
Those are significant figures.
The GPA, though, has focused on the impact the return of these competitions could have on player welfare.
Key statistics and findings from a recent survey of 3,676 players shows that 92% believe the inter-county season should last a maximum of seven months to be sustainable.
The vast majority of players (87%) believe there needs to be a mandated off-season for all inter-county players to prevent burnout and, worryingly, 83% reported having less than two weeks of rest between their county and club seasons.
Around half that number had less than two weeks of rest after their club season before inter-county activity started. Overall half of those surveyed supported a mandated off-season, favouring a "No Contact November" as the best option for sufficient recovery time.
The report continued to highlight stats on increased mental and physical loads for players, more high-speed running and a greater risk of injury.
Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty, however, claimed the GPA lacked consistency when it came to player welfare and their desire to shut down pre-season competition.
Prenty referenced challenge matches taking place during the winter and, in terms of player welfare, he questioned Parsons's view that players would love to see the return of the International Rules to an already bustling fixture calendar.
The next key juncture in the debate will be a motion at annual congress in February which could indirectly scrap pre-season competitions forever.
An influential subcommittee chaired by Paraic Duffy has proposed lengthening the inter-county season to mid-August.
Central Council has decided to send this motion through to Congress and if it is passed it would see the season extended - and the removal of any competition before the first National League game in 2027.
This would bring the official return to training date back to December.
With significant backing still there for the continuation of pre-season competition, however, whether this vote gets through is another question.
For now, teams will make their official return to training this evening.
The upcoming Congress vote will ultimately decide whether this is the last time they do so in November, but equally this is a debate that could continue to rage on for years to come.
