Gaelic games in relation to Covid.

political analyst · 14-10-2020 6:40pm #1

It is clear that large gatherings in the aftermath of Gaelic matches have caused many Covid cases.

Why were many people so desperate to have a resumption of Gaelic action? After all, we can live without Gaelic games for much longer than without restaurants and cafés and other businesses.

LuasSimon · 14-10-2020 6:46pm

political analyst wrote: »

It is clear that large gatherings in the aftermath of Gaelic matches have caused many Covid cases.

Why were many people so desperate to have a resumption of Gaelic action? After all, we can live without Gaelic games for much longer than without restaurants and cafés and other businesses.

In many parts of the country local championships are a real big deal and are the source of huge interest and discussion plus a big deal for those that play those games , I’ve seen some great matchs online .
The problem was the finals , players and others couldn’t control themselves such was their delight at winning .

piplip87 · 14-10-2020 6:48pm

The GAA have taken all the precautions here yet these outbreaks happened in towns and villages not in the grounds. Publicans, Players, Management and supporters are to blame here.

smck321 · 14-10-2020 6:50pm

Football is a big deal to some people and as the path of a virus cannot be easily directly tracked from speading at a game to the death of individuals some of those who attend do not see the correlation or at least can reason it away that is was x other group that did it, like those young people down the street having a party not us.

political analyst · 14-10-2020 6:51pm

piplip87 wrote: »

The GAA have taken all the precautions here yet these outbreaks happened in towns and villages not in the grounds. Publicans, Players, Management and supporters are to blame here.

I wasn't targeting the GAA - I was asking about the desperation of people to have Gaelic action resumed.

PTH2009 · 14-10-2020 6:53pm

If intercounty players/coaches etc who are training away feel they want and feel safe in playing the championships than let them at it. They like the rest of us have to take personal responsibility

Can't paint all the GAA community with the same brush. Yes it was bloody idiotic what happened in certain clubs/towns and serious questions need to be asked with punishments handed out

Feel the championships will lift a bit of the doom and gloom around coming into Christmas

BPKS · 14-10-2020 6:53pm

Lots of cases have come from Holy Communion parties.

Should we blame the Catholic Church for this?

Lots of cases have come from people crossing the country to go on their #staycation.

Should we blame Failte Ireland for this?

Lots of cases have come from students returning to third level.

Should we blame the Higher Education Authority for this?

Lots of cases have come from primary and secondary schools.

Should we blame the Dept of Education for this?

political analyst · 14-10-2020 6:54pm

LuasSimon wrote: »

In many parts of the country local championships are a real big deal and are the source of huge interest and discussion plus a big deal for those that play those games , I’ve seen some great matchs online .
The problem was the finals , players and others couldn’t control themselves such was their delight at winning .

I'm sure that tennis is a big deal for many Britons but their country did without Wimbledon this year. Furthermore, there were many non-sporting events that Britain had to do without this year. So why can't those Irish people who for whom local Gaelic action is a big deal make a similar sacrifice?

limerickabroad · 14-10-2020 6:57pm

I think the GAA are being scapegoated a bit here. Brought a lot of happiness to people over the summer months, and the Cul Camps had over 70,000 children actively engaged, with just one covid case. How many house parties would have occured if there was no GAA training this summer? The post county final scenes last weekend were very wrong, and the GAA pulled the plug on all games the next morning - the right call, imo. But to relentlessly attack the GAA (seems to happen here a lot) is unfair and disproportionate .

political analyst · 14-10-2020 6:57pm

BPKS wrote: »

Lots of cases have come from Holy Communion parties.

Should we blame the Catholic Church for this?

Lots of cases have come from people crossing the country to go on their #staycation.

Should we blame Failte Ireland for this?

Lots of cases have come from students returning to third level.

Should we blame the Higher Education Authority for this?

Lots of cases have come from primary and secondary schools.

Should we blame the Dept of Education for this?

Nobody says that the Church and the GAA are responsible for family gatherings. But there was no need for those people to gather after Gaelic matches. By the way, education is a necessity - unlike Gaelic games.

political analyst · 14-10-2020 7:00pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

If intercounty players/coaches etc who are training away feel they want and feel safe in playing the championships than let them at it. They like the rest of us have to take personal responsibility

Can't paint all the GAA community with the same brush. Yes it was bloody idiotic what happened in certain clubs/towns and serious questions need to be asked with punishments handed out

Feel the championships will lift a bit of the doom and gloom around coming into Christmas

I'm sure that's what those recent local matches did - and look at what they led to!

ShyMets · 14-10-2020 7:00pm

political analyst wrote: »

I'm sure that tennis is a big deal for many Britons but their country did without Wimbledon this year. Furthermore, there were many non-sporting events that Britain had to do without this year. So why can't those Irish people who for whom local Gaelic action is a big deal make a similar sacrifice?

There was no Gaelic action as you refer to it during the summer in terms of Intercounty Championship. The months when it is traditionally played.

I suspect this is just a thread for people who don't like GAA to give it a good bashing

BPKS · 14-10-2020 7:02pm

political analyst wrote: »

I'm sure that tennis is a big deal for many Britons but their country did without Wimbledon this year. Furthermore, there were many non-sporting events that Britain had to do without this year. So why can't those Irish people who for whom local Gaelic action is a big deal make a similar sacrifice?

In Britain they were desperate to re start the Premier League and Championship in June to help lift the mood of the nation.

A bit of light peeking through a hole in the tunnel.

I'm guessing by your posts that you don't realise just how much the GAA championship means to huge swathes of our country.

The summer gave people in communities all throughout the country something to get their mind off the ****storm we are in by watching their friends, sons, daughters, grandkids play sport.

The winter will hopefully do the same on a grander scale.

political analyst · 14-10-2020 7:02pm

ShyMets wrote: »

There was no Gaelic action as you refer to it during the summer in terms of Intercounty Championship. The months when it is traditionally played.

I suspect this is just a thread for people who don't like GAA to give it a good bashing

The point is: why couldn't Gaelic fans do without it for one year? After all, that's what Britain did with Wimbledon - and also many non-sporting events.

Coillte_Bhoy · 14-10-2020 7:03pm

Im undecided on whether i think the cship should go ahead but there will not be repeats of the scenes witnessed at county finals and their aftermaths. Its a completely different situation to the county finals

CIARAN_BOYLE · 14-10-2020 7:04pm

If gob****es want to gather and have a party they will do it whether it's after the GAA or the pigeon racing.

The problem was with the idiots gathering rather than with the GAA.

ShyMets · 14-10-2020 7:05pm

political analyst wrote: »

The point is: why couldn't Gaelic fans do without it for one year? After all, that's what Britain did with Wimbledon - and also many non-sporting events.

If Wimbledon has traditionally been played in August instead of June it would almost certainly gone ahead as sport in the UK has restarted by that time.

scrubs33 · 14-10-2020 7:05pm

My real fear is what happens when teams win an all Ireland? If the sessions after a county final win are bad imagine if a county which hasn’t won for ages wins? Throw in the fact it will be Christmas time and I think the figures for early January will be spectacular.

scrubs33 · 14-10-2020 7:07pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Im undecided on whether i think the cship should go ahead but there will not be repeats of the scenes witnessed at county finals and their aftermaths. Its a completely different situation to the county finals

There may not be in the stadium but imagine if Mayo or Waterford win? Holy moly it will be bedlam in every corner of the county.

CrowdedHouse · 14-10-2020 7:37pm

scrubs33 wrote: »

but imagine if Mayo or Waterford win? Holy moly it will be bedlam in every corner of the county.

I know people are under pressure in these troubled times but let's not get carried away

scrubs33 · 14-10-2020 7:46pm

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

I know people are under pressure in these troubled times but let's not get carried away

I wouldn’t write off the Mayo hurlers...ðŸ˜€

Coillte_Bhoy · 14-10-2020 7:54pm

scrubs33 wrote: »

There may not be in the stadium but imagine if Mayo or Waterford win? Holy moly it will be bedlam in every corner of the county.

Oh ya i accept that totally, and i was going to mention those two teams actually. As a big Mayo fan, i can just imagine the chaos in the county, all good intentions would go out the window. Would be just like us, to win it an empty Croke Park, pubs closed and no homecoming :eek:

PTH2009 · 14-10-2020 7:57pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Oh ya i accept that totally, and i was going to mention those two teams actually. As a big Mayo fan, i can just imagine the chaos in the county, all good intentions would go out the window. Would be just like us, to win it an empty Croke Park, pubs closed and no homecoming :eek:

Off licences will be busy, cant wait for all the Waterford games

Liverpool winning the PL could be a sign, seriously clutching at straws here

:D

Belt · 14-10-2020 8:34pm

political analyst wrote: »

The point is: why couldn't Gaelic fans do without it for one year? After all, that's what Britain did with Wimbledon - and also many non-sporting events.

Wimbledon had pandemic insurance , that is why it was cancelled. Not some sense of duty.

Cluedo Monopoly · 14-10-2020 8:51pm

piplip87 wrote: »

The GAA have taken all the precautions here yet these outbreaks happened in towns and villages not in the grounds. Publicans, Players, Management and supporters are to blame here.

This is correct.

Every club/village/town that won county finals would show clusters soon afterwards if that data was available.

CrowdedHouse · 14-10-2020 9:47pm

Time to disband the GAA

https://twitter.com/IrishTimes/status/1316467194230759424?s=20

political analyst · 15-10-2020 12:04am

Belt wrote: »

Wimbledon had pandemic insurance , that is why it was cancelled. Not some sense of duty.

Well observed.

For everyone's benefit here's the relevant link.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/tennis/2020/0629/1150277-wimbledon-rides-pandemic-thanks-to-insurance-cover/

JP Liz V1 · 15-10-2020 12:13am

Just cancel the training and games or postpone

seligehgit · 15-10-2020 12:20am

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Time to disband the GAA

https://twitter.com/IrishTimes/status/1316467194230759424?s=20

Whatever about the extent that GAA related activities have contributed to the spread of Covid 19 the above is a totally OTT and more than likely based on a dislike of the GAA.:rolleyes:

political analyst · 15-10-2020 12:42am

seligehgit wrote: »

Whatever about the extent that GAA related activities have contributed to the spread of Covid 19 the above is a totally OTT and more than likely based on a dislike of the GAA.:rolleyes:

Agreed. I assure you that my OP is not targeted at the GAA or any particular group of people. I merely asked about people's desperation to have Gaelic games resumed after the first lockdown.

CBear1993 · 15-10-2020 12:44am

political analyst wrote: »

Nobody says that the Church and the GAA are responsible for family gatherings. But there was no need for those people to gather after Gaelic matches. By the way, education is a necessity - unlike Gaelic games.

Piss off political analyst, you only started this as a windup, because you’re a wind up merchant. Ye gobsh#te

PTH2009 · 15-10-2020 12:58am

other sports such as the league of Ireland/club rugby resumed after lockdown and there's no calls for them to be cancelled

sure the 6 nations is resuming next weekend

Victor · 15-10-2020 1:53am

piplip87 wrote: »

The GAA have taken all the precautions here yet these outbreaks happened in towns and villages not in the grounds.

I've seen a series of photos comparing GAA and LOI games. LOI games had disciplined social distancing. GAA games had none.

_Brian · 15-10-2020 8:23am

piplip87 wrote: »

The GAA have taken all the precautions here yet these outbreaks happened in towns and villages not in the grounds. Publicans, Players, Management and supporters are to blame here.

Your correct.
BUT

Everyone including the GAA knew it would happen.

Training should be allowed in controlled manner but all competitions should be cancelled for the foreseeable future. Into next year at least.

Ireland had covid well suppressed.

The three pillars of society for their lobby groups harassing the government and so the GAA, Vintners and the Church were all allowed belt away and as a result we are in a total mess.

Combine that with a government reacting at a snails pace it’s allowing things further out of control. Cavan, Donegal amd Monaghan should have been at L4 two weeks ago.

mr_edge_to_you · 15-10-2020 8:58am

Excellent post Kasey_Don

Kasey_Don wrote: »

You have 20 lads training with each other, touching and jumping on each other, breathing on top of them, sweating on top of them. This could be 2 or 3 times a week.

But yet I can't go to my local cafe that complies with the restrictions to the letter? Its a mad country.

dundalkfc10 · 15-10-2020 9:40am

PTH2009 wrote: »

other sports such as the league of Ireland/club rugby resumed after lockdown and there's no calls for them to be cancelled

sure the 6 nations is resuming next weekend

They are not calling for them to be cancelled because they are been responsible, no fans are sitting on top of each other, or parishs celebrating after wins, teams going for meals after games, clubs flying players home for club champ and them not isolating etc

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1014/1171603-fermanagh-fail-in-bid-to-postpone-league-match/

The GAA are a law to themselves.

For anyone who might say your a soccer head you will say that anyway, Ive played GAA with my club for 20 years now (including this year)

political analyst · 15-10-2020 12:22pm

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1015/1171670-coveney-has-concerns-for-gaa-as-club-exemption-removed/

Ireland saw a record number of 1,095 cases yesterday, leading Westmeath talisman John Heslin to question the wisdom of playing games.

"At what stage does the "Inter-county return badly needed in these grim days" commentary end?" he asked on Twitter.

"I am concerned from a health and welfare perspective, both individually and collectively, for those contributing to the inter-county season."

political analyst · 15-10-2020 12:25pm

BPKS wrote: »

In Britain they were desperate to re start the Premier League and Championship in June to help lift the mood of the nation.

A bit of light peeking through a hole in the tunnel.

I'm guessing by your posts that you don't realise just how much the GAA championship means to huge swathes of our country.

The summer gave people in communities all throughout the country something to get their mind off the ****storm we are in by watching their friends, sons, daughters, grandkids play sport.

The winter will hopefully do the same on a grander scale.

The difference is that letting soccer action in Britain resume had an economic imperative because of the large amounts of money involved, i.e. the salaries of players and staff, sale of merchandise. The running of the GAA is done on a voluntary basis and thus doesn't involve significant financial transactions.

Macy0161 · 15-10-2020 12:29pm

_Brian wrote: »

Your correct.
BUT

Everyone including the GAA knew it would happen.

Training should be allowed in controlled manner but all competitions should be cancelled for the foreseeable future. Into next year at least.

I think the GAA knew it had happened too, hence they called it early to try and manage the media fall out.

It's not just Publicans responsible/ irresponsible either. I've heard a few club houses with bars were open in the aftermath of finals too (in contravention of all club buildings being closed full stop, which goes back to March!).

I think it's somewhat harsh on counties that are left in limbo before finals, but things like that really left the GAA with no choice, as even behind closed doors wouldn't have worked.

15-10-2020 12:52pm

Victor wrote: »

I've seen a series of photos comparing GAA and LOI games. LOI games had disciplined social distancing. GAA games had none.

Social distancing is usually a permanent fixture and LOI games.

circadian · 15-10-2020 12:53pm

The GAA should have made it very clear that there would be punishments for after parties etc for winning clubs. By all means, have the matches played if they really need to do it (I don't think they do) but that guidelines should be adhered to.

What gets me though, is these are amateur sports. Most people competing, even at the highest level, has a job. Has to interact with others outside of the sport on a daily basis. This is a significant increase in risk. Combine that with people completely ignoring guidelines and here we are, outbreaks all over the country and because of the age groups involved it's now in schools, hospitals and the general community.

We knew there was going to be a rise in numbers come autumn/winter but these events are making it so much worse. Like many, I've restricted my movements, restricted social interactions for months now and because a small group of people couldn't be ****ed it feels like everything I engaged in was totally in vein. I can completely understand people being pissed off at the GAA. They are the Governing body, they create the rules and they should have seen this coming a mile off.

What's worse is, these are usually events that bring communities together. This time around it's creating division and disputes.

ronin88 · 15-10-2020 12:55pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

other sports such as the league of Ireland/club rugby resumed after lockdown and there's no calls for them to be cancelled

sure the 6 nations is resuming next weekend

This is from reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/jaxj1c/follow_on_from_passport_office_league_of_ireland/

"I had a read of the scenes from the passport office and it was very similar to how players in the league of ireland are also being asked to put their own health and the health of their team mates and families at risk.

My own personal experience is that of 30 people sharing dressing rooms/meeting rooms/hotels, on a bus to games, carpools of team mates coming to training from various parts of the city and all because we are seen as elite. The only protection we have to guard against this is a temperature gun which has not flagged a single person so far.

There has been incidences where team mates have had symptoms, but were told not to highlight them because we had a game coming up. The players union have only been concerned with keeping the games and fixture list going, nothing regarding our health even though two separate teams in the league have now had to isolate because of known cases.

Some of us live with vulnerable people and our health is in no way being protected or considered. Cases are rising everywhere yet we're expected to play on.

You can't speak up on this as it would be seen as disruptive and not being a team player. As we are all on year to year contracts, any disruption would mean no contract for next year."

boardlady · 15-10-2020 1:12pm

political analyst wrote: »

The point is: why couldn't Gaelic fans do without it for one year? After all, that's what Britain did with Wimbledon - and also many non-sporting events.

I get your point - you have stated it a few times now. Gaelic games mean a lot to a lot of people. Why couldn't pub fans do without it for one year? Holiday fans? Fans of their elderly parents? Different strokes for different folks. Nobody wants to do without that which makes them happy. And if the powers that be tell us you are free to attend matches/ go to the pub/ visit your parents, then that is what we will do. We have done without plenty so are not going to forego that which is 'allowed'. GAA games are now stopped again and so are 'not allowed'. And those who are big fans will mourn their loss.

Treepole · 15-10-2020 1:19pm

Whatever about the GAA fans in Ireland, the GAA fans in France, Belgium, the UK, Czech Republic etc, all need to take a long hard look at themselves.

dundalkfc10 · 15-10-2020 1:35pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Social distancing is usually a permanent fixture and LOI games.

Good joke if your 5

the kelt · 15-10-2020 1:45pm

Why are you focussing on just the GAA though?

Why not ask the question as to why was any sport back for that matter? Why is soccer back? Rugby? Hockey?

Are people really naive enough to believe had other sports and teams etc progressed to the situation where finals were being played and cups were being won that the same issues werent going to arise?

You can claim all ye like about not targetting the GAA yet you started a thread specifically targeting Gaelic Games!

From memory there was a desperation for all groups to have sport back, not just GAA

dundalkfc10 · 15-10-2020 1:57pm

the kelt wrote: »

Why are you focussing on just the GAA though?

Why not ask the question as to why was any sport back for that matter? Why is soccer back? Rugby? Hockey?

Are people really naive enough to believe had other sports and teams etc progressed to the situation where finals were being played and cups were being won that the same issues werent going to arise?

You can claim all ye like about not targetting the GAA yet you started a thread specifically targeting Gaelic Games!

From memory there was a desperation for all groups to have sport back, not just GAA

1. Clubs bringing players home from abroad to play games, and said players not doing 14 days restriction on movemenets.
2. Club had a player waiting on a test result, let him play the game, released a statement saying they read the rules wrong.
3. Roscommonn GAA team all going for a meal after a training match (when not allowed)
4. Celebrations in club houses, pubs, parishes after every big Champ final win.

LOI clubs have acted responsible. Dundalk qualified for the Europa League (a major achievement) in a massive soccer town, and guess what there were no celebrations in pubs, out on the streets.

When GAA get their act together and be as professional on and off the pitch as the other sports, they can maybe have a case for getting games going again.

Macy0161 · 15-10-2020 2:03pm

the kelt wrote: »

Why are you focussing on just the GAA though?

As dundalkfc10 pointed out really.

The GAA wanting the acting CMO to explain himself hasn't aged well, given the events in recent weeks, either.

ShyMets · 15-10-2020 2:08pm

dundalkfc10 wrote: »

They are not calling for them to be cancelled because they are been responsible, no fans are sitting on top of each other, or parishs celebrating after wins, teams going for meals after games, clubs flying players home for club champ and them not isolating etc

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1014/1171603-fermanagh-fail-in-bid-to-postpone-league-match/

The GAA are a law to themselves.

For anyone who might say your a soccer head you will say that anyway, Ive played GAA with my club for 20 years now (including this year)[/B][/B]

Its like when you're having a debate on racism and someone says "I'm not racist and I know a lot of black people. But"

weldoninhio · 15-10-2020 2:12pm

dundalkfc10 wrote: »

1. Clubs bringing players home from abroad to play games, and said players not doing 14 days restriction on movemenets.
2. Club had a player waiting on a test result, let him play the game, released a statement saying they read the rules wrong.
3. Roscommonn GAA team all going for a meal after a training match (when not allowed)
4. Celebrations in club houses, pubs, parishes after every big Champ final win.

LOI clubs have acted responsible. Dundalk qualified for the Europa League (a major achievement) in a massive soccer town, and guess what there were no celebrations in pubs, out on the streets.

When GAA get their act together and be as professional on and off the pitch as the other sports, they can maybe have a case for getting games going again.

How do you propose the GAA controls people outside the stadium??

PTH2009 · 15-10-2020 2:39pm

Its simple don't watch it then if you feel so against it been played

These are very very tough times and sport/GAA are bringing a bit of joy and excitement

Gaelic games in relation to Covid.

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