GAA after COVID19:
As the GAA, players, coaches, supporters county boards, selectors, backroom staff, and all other stakeholders involved in county and club teams prepare to go back after Covid19, at the inter-county level the provincial Leagues like Connacht FBD League, O’Byrne Cup, Walsh Cup etc and the National Football and Hurling Leagues were well underway and approaching the knockout stages and all that goes with it. However, along came Covid19 a few days Before St Patrick’s Day. In the past, the 2 best clubs in Ireland in Football and Hurling usually face each other in Croke Park but due to a change, they were held earlier with Kilkennys BallyHale Shamrocks winning the All Ireland Club Hurling title and Galway’s Corofin retaining the Football title. This season instead of on St. Patrick Day, the showpiece was to be the All Ireland U21 Football and Hurling finals. However, this year it wasn’t to be. Due to covid19 a Lockdown was introduced which meant all sports shut down. No group training, no matches at club or county level. At club level, clubs would have been due to start pre season in preparation for the league which is key preparation for the championship. This as you can imagine was a huge set back to all teams at club ant county level.
Useful GAA Link: COVID Update
NO STOPPING THEM
Despite this, players and coaches did not just sit back and do nothing, the managers and coaches gave players training programmes that players could do at home weights sprints etc all designed to keep themselves ticking over throughout Covid19. Players got creative making up drills and posting videos of the drills on social media for did to keep them active.
Covid19 has been tough on everyone, players, managers, fans, people who love sport and people who don’t like sport. People who miss going to games and people who love watching sport on TV, it affected people psychologically people had sport and took for granted there was always going to be on TV or able to go to games fans had that taken away. What do they do? However, it has to be said that kids were badly affected off school, doing schoolwork at home, not being able to meet friends and relatives not being able to meet and hug grandparents and it also affected them too. Kids, as well as coaches and senior players, were great and very creative by coming up with drills and challenges which from looking at the videos kids and coaches enjoyed. Non more so than my home club Roscommon Gaels GAA Club where Senior players in hurling and football in the Roscommon Gaels GAA Club and other clubs around the county and country did the same and a lot of videos were saved and shared by coaches and kids alike. It was great to see positivity in the face of adversity. It just goes to show, in Ireland we are great at turning a negative situation and creating positive.
GAA after COVID19 – LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
As a sports fan, with Covid19 effecting provincial championships in hurling and football, Roscommon was due to play London in their first game in the Connacht Football Championship but that didn’t go ahead. Players, managers, coaches, fans, county boards, sports enthusiasts were disappointed however time went by and then, the light at the end of the tunnel with the announcement of the GAAs Roadmap to get back playing.dates announced for hurling and football championships and dates returning to training, non-contact training in June and then stepping up to full contact training in July and then the club championships at the end of July. During the lockdown, as a further positive for Roscommon GAA fans, myself and my mate, former Roscommon Goalkeeper Ray Lannon came up with an idea where we would do a weekly Podcast called Roscommon GAA Memories where myself and Ray look back at a Roscommon match from the past. I also do an interview and music-packed Podcast show called Sportsview Extra. Both podcasts are available on the Rosfm website www.rosfm.ie.
GAA CÙL CAMPS
as I mentioned it has been a tough couple of months for everyone adults and kids and it was great that there are games for the adults but Gaelic Football and Hurling for the kids and teenagers is essential as they are the future of the GAA. And to this end, the GAA announced that the GAA Cùl Camps WILL be going ahead as usual throughout the country. So this means something for everyone at all levels in GAA.
GAA IS BACK, BUT WITH CONDITIONS
It is great to have Gaelic Football and Hurling back but there are conditions as part of the roadmap to returning to play.
– Social Distancing of 2 metres still applies
– Use of dressing rooms are not allowed?
– Training at the initial stages means non-contact. No tackling allowed
– Training sessions are short
– Maximum of 15 players in any one training session at a time.
– All clubs are required to adhere to Covid19 Hygiene procedures and supply hygiene products for its members.
-These are some of the regulations all GAA grounds and clubs must abide by as part of the Regulations. Every club and county team around the country in all sports has a specially appointed officer for this so for further information contact your local club for further details.
– GAA clubs and county grounds around the country can get all their first aid and hygiene products from Kellehers Shop First Aid in Cork with great staff and advice to suit your needs. Let’s get there together
GAA after COVID19 – EXERCISE SAFELY
For players returning to training, it is essential that you exercise safely so as to prevent injury. From what to eat and not to eat to when to eat. Proper preparation is essential for matches and training. Eating correctly ensures maximum performance and energy levels. Eating healthy is important. Treats and takeaways are very nice but very little or no nutritional value. Treats and takeaways are allowed but only now and again. It is essential to have a good breakfast in the morning and a healthy lunch and a good dinner in the evening. However, do not have a big meal close to the time for training as you will not have it digested on time so something light like a sandwich or fruit. Also before going training, it is essential to keep weĺl hydrated before, during and after training and the same on match days. Bring your own water to training this is for hygiene reasons. A key part of injury prevention is stretching and warm-ups and after training and matches is a warm down. Training and getting exercise is important but overdoing training or exercise is a big cause of injury due to fatigue which leaves players vulnerable to injury. Warm-ups and stretches are essential for circulation and helping the joints and movement ahead of matches and training
PLAYERS, COACHES AND BACKROOM STAFF IN TRAINING AND MATCHES
At training, and games it is essential players, Coaches and backroom staff are safe. Social Distancing of 2 kilometres or if 1 meter then face masks and gloves.
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you enjoyed reading it and found it informative. My next blog is on the way soon so stay tuned.
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