Plans are proceeding for a GAA press conference this afternoon at which details of the potential timetable for a resumption of Gaelic Games will be outlined.
The background though is tenser than it might have been with the breaking news this morning that photographic evidence of a gathering of up to 25 players and management from the Monaghan Senior Men’s Football team has been passed to the Irish Independent and the department of Justice.
The breach of Covid guidelines is alleged to have taken place on the last weekend in March, days before the Dublin breach that led to a 12-week suspension of manager Dessie Farrell on April 1st.
They are the latest breaches following on from similar incidents involving Cork and Down footballers, adding up to a public perception that the inter-county infrastructure is heedless of the optics of public health guidelines.
In medical terms, it can be put that a socially distanced gathering of fit young players is not dangerous and no different to what is already happening at elite level in rugby and soccer.
The point is though that nobody can say what guidelines were in place, that Gaelic Games were removed from the technical ‘elite’ status in the current lockdown restrictions, and most importantly that the vast majority of teams at club and underage level are taking the pain of separation and waiting for a green light to resume.
Senior management within the GAA must be raging at the latest breach and the impression it creates.
The fact that there are some who are making a point of gathering evidence and supplying it to media cannot be used as a way of closing ranks and throwing blame in other directions.
To be fair that is not what has happened at all. Hands have been raised, apologies made and disciplinary action taken.
But still, it keeps on happening which is a sorry blow to the reputation of the Association after it performed so well at the community level all the way through the past year.
Within the GAA at the grassroots, these aberrations will be accepted, sometimes with a shrug, and everyone will move on.
But for those with an axe to grind on the outside, it will be damaging and the damage will also seep into those in the middle ground, with no affinity for or gripe against those for whom the GAA is such an important part of life.
It has to be hoped that the decision on a return to action will still be taken based on medical and social grounds, not on a new antipathy caused by the perceived lack of respect that has been shown for the general health guidelines by those at the top of the sport on the field of play.
The press conference will take place at 2 PM today.
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