GAA journalist John Fogarty feels if a GAA inter-county season starts, it won't be stopped even if the country is moved to Level 5 on the Covid-19 restrictions.
As things stand under level three, the inter-county season will still go ahead as planned, with the GAA announcing yesterday the suspension of club games for the time being.
The inter-county league campaigns are due to get back underway on October 17th, and Irish Examiner GAA correspondent John Fogarty told OTB AM he thinks the campaign will play to a conclusion even if Level 5 comes into effect at some point.
"I would if it starts [think it will finish]. They would have to put in absolutely stringent protocols and what not but they have invested into this championship, they have put money behind it - €15 million to the LGFA and Camogie Association.
"They have invested in this and know how much it would mean to people so I think they realise the importance of it. Obviously it has to be balanced up with public health concerns, and if things do exacerbate and get worse then there has to be a lot of consideration.
"But this is the tonic, and I think they realise that. It will distract, it will give people something to look forward to and give people something to talk about."
Fogarty added that the excitement of recent club games has shown exactly why gaelic games are needed, with players enjoying more freedom too to focus on their club.
"It's not just the fact that we don't have replays and games have to go into extra time, I've been at the Tipperary and [other] county hurling finals, I was at a cracker of a hurling semi-final in Kilkenny as well, and they've been pure enjoyment.
"Okay, people would have loved to have been there but they got to see them in some shape or form, be it on TV or streaming.
"They've been sensational, but the greatest kick has been that the players have really enjoyed it. You speak to TJ Reid, you speak to Alan Flynn in Kiladangan, and they're really loving the fact that they are not being brought from pillar to post.
The GAA’s Management Committee has today endorsed a decision to suspend all GAA Club games at all levels with immediate effect and until further notice
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 5, 2020
"They don't have those dual commitments, they're focusing completely on their club and they're loving it. I think it's a win-win situation.
"What we've had over the last while are some of the greatest club championships in a long time, and we're not looking at it through rose-tinted glasses.
"The enjoyment has been incredible and I think the standards are going to come up in the club championships which helps."
The GAA's Director of Communications Alan Milton told OTB Sports last night that they couldn't rule out games being forfeited by a team that have an active positive coronavirus case.
"There is not a whole lot of wiggle room in the schedule and central council have discussed this - if it comes to pass, that will be a very stark decision to be made.
"I can count on one hand - or maybe a little more - how many outbreaks there were with club teams. Certain clubs pulled games because of mood music in the locality but there is no evidence that there have been mass breakouts of positive cases."
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