Despite a rise in Covid-19 cases, a dip in public morale, and increased restrictions preventing supporters from attending games, there remains a clear desire that both this year's club and inter-county seasons will be successfully completed.
The GAA announced today that it had told a virtual meeting of county chairpersons it would lend money "to assist in the running of their activities before Government funding is made available" and also said that "pending updated public health advice, and in light of an increased optimism and appetite for inter-county games, plans to stage championships in the coming months remain under consideration."
The GAA added that it had asked the county chairs counties to "to double down on efforts to help the Association to play its part in the ongoing fight against the Covid pandemic and in light of recent challenges nationally" and to adhere to new guidelines around training and matches issued this week.
RTÉ Sport understands that Croke Park officials will also oversee team budgets of each county for the intercounty season. A template for the number of managerial and backroom staff could also be drawn up.
Following a public request for a justification on Tuesday's tightening of restrictions around sport, the GAA said it had been encouraged by county chairpersons to "ascertain from NPHET the shortcomings in the wider sporting community that exist" so that procedures might be reviewed and that it "looks forward to positive engagement" with National Public Health Emergency Team.
Earlier today, a note from Paul Flynn, the Gaelic Players Association CEO, to his members also confirmed the GAA's intention to finish the club championships and then host the inter-county schedule.
Flynn’s communication to GPA members comes after two high-level GAA meetings were held yesterday evening.
The association’s Covid-19 Advisory Group and Fixture Calendar Review Taskforce met virtually at separate times - with the GPA having representation on both committees.
And in his memo to inter-county players this afternoon, Flynn reiterated the strong intention to complete both the 2020 club and inter-county championships.
"It was clear that there is a positive will within the GAA to complete both the club and inter-county seasons successfully," Flynn, himself a member of the GAA’s Covid-19 Advisory Group, said.
"The risk remains however, due to the dynamic nature of the situation we face, that this could change based on public health advice. Our job is to ensure that the health and safety of players are not compromised to a level of undue risk."
Flynn noted how there have been situations where clubs have suspended activity due to suspected or confirmed cases within their club or community.
He urged GPA members to continue leading the way in setting good examples for others to follow.
"These cases emphasise the importance of continuing to follow public health advice," he added.
"Personal responsibility is vitally important and you, the inter-county players, as leaders within your clubs, can set an example for other club members to follow."
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The CEO referenced some of these protocols, which included; continuing to follow public health guidelines, practicing good hygiene by washing hands, using sneezing and coughing etiquette and wearing face masks where appropriate.
He reminded his members to continue avoiding changing rooms, dug-outs as well as other enclosed spaces.
He advised that indoor meetings should be avoided as they both increased the risk of transmission and also made every attendee a 'close contact’ and subject to quarantine should a positive case arise.
The GPA chief also discussed last night’s Fixture Calendar Review Taskforce, thanked members for feeding into the consultation process ahead of that meeting, and said their contribution allowed the GPA’s representative on the Taskforce Ronán Sheehan (current Down hurling manager), to present a very clear picture of their views.
"The agenda was mainly focused on a split season model which included our proposal for a shorter-inter county season," Flynn stated.
"The GPA proposal was shared with the group, and Ronán was given time to take the taskforce through it. There was broad support for the proposal, and for the split season model.
"The next step in the process will include defining what this new structure might look like based on the feedback to-date and the GPA proposal. This will be presented at the next meeting of the taskforce in two weeks.
"Our job in those two weeks is to ensure the feedback you have given us already is considered and embedded in the model that is defined. We may require further clarity on some of the views you have expressed and will be in touch should the need arise."
