GAA Pushes Back Championship Season

The GAA has confirmed that the Championship season is being pushed back to what it says is a start date highly unlikely to be before the beginning of July, at the earliest.

All GAA activity remains suspended until May 5th at the earliest in line with Government advice and in a statement issued yesterday, it said that “In keeping with the approach of the Association since the start of this crisis, all of our decisions will be based on the advice of the medical professionals and the government.”

A special Congress will be held this Friday, remotely, to seek that there be greater flexibility granted to officials in decision making power over the rescheduling of Championships and other tournaments and activity.

Under normal circumstances, the power to change the structure of the Championship would only be possible through a decision of Congress.

The GAA reiterated yesterday that “When sporting activity recommences, the GAA will accommodate both club and county games. The Association also intends to complete the Allianz Leagues or at least those games that have a bearing on next year’s divisions, where possible.”

Last week Sport for Business published three different scenarios for the completion of a Championship season with a July, August and even a September start date, and finishing at or just after the end of September to allow for Club games to fill their regular slot.

Ours is one of what will be many different ideas on how the season will get back underway, with others suggesting that club games would be a better starting point catering for more players and smaller gatherings of fans.

As the GAA recognised, we are in the hands of the public health experts who will be the ultimate last resort when it comes to deciding the safest way forward.

Friday’s special Congress will not yield any hard and fast conclusions. With just under three weeks to go before the potential for any limited and phased relaxation of restrictions on movement and gathering, the Association will not be rushed.

Take a look at our suggestions for the potential playing of the GAA season in 2020.
Watch back our interview with GAA Director General Tom Ryan as part of our leadership Series. This video was recorded on Thursday, April 2nd.