Tipperary's All-Ireland winning senior hurling manager Liam Sheedy has backed a behind closed doors Championship if it is safe to do so.
Mass gatherings of over 5000 people have been banned until the end of August and there are question marks over the feasibility of staging games behind closed doors in what is an amateur sport with players returning to their communities at club and inter-county level.
If it was a choice between staging matches with no crowds or having no Championship in 2020, Sheedy told Newstalk Breakfast he would favour the former option.
"I guess we have all had the challenge matches on a Monday night when there's nobody in the stadium and it's two teams going head to head and it's a bit false really. It's tough to see that being the norm. At the same time, if it is that versus not having anything at all, then we can't underestimate the impact of seeing local counties playing competitive hurling behind closed doors. I think what it would do for the Irish people and the counties and the communities would be significant."
The Portroe man believes the GAA community has made a positive impact on Irish society during the pandemic and this is another reason why the hosting of games would give everyone a boost.
"I'm seeing online what the GAA community is doing in terms of fundraising and giving out skills. They are having a massive positive impact on the health and well being of kids and of the older generation and of people that are challenged. I think it could give a massive lift to the county if you could find a way that you could run games. Even though they would be behind closed doors, I think it's better than not having any at all.
"I think playing matches would really give the whole country a lift, but it can only be done when it's safe to do so and right now it's a long way away based on the challenges we face as a country."
Tipperary were planning to defend the Liam McCarthy Cup and chase back to back All-Irelands for the first time since 1965, but that is now on hold.
Sheedy says his players are having to adjust to a taxing situation, but he's backed them to come out on the other side of this unprecedented situation.
"Not being able to meet up as a team is difficult and presents challenges. Thankfully we have technology, so that certainly helps. It's mainly light touch with the lads at the moment. It really is tough on the players right now, because hurling is a massive part of their lives and team sports and being together and training together. Unfortunately that's off the table for the moment. So they're just working away on their own, but these lads are very committed and they are well able to get on with things and make sure they keep themselves in good shape."
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