The one size fits all approach doing sport no favours in strenuous times

Inside Track with John McIntyre

WELL, that was an unexpected blow to the solar plexus late last week. There was most of us thinking that crowds allowed at matches in this Covid-19 environment would be increased to 1,000 for sporting activity, only to be hit with something of a double whammy.

Not alone has that not materialised, but the 500 figure which had been flagged in the lifting of the last phase of the coronavirus restrictions from last Monday has fallen by the wayside as well. The consequence is that gatherings of 200, including players and mentors, are all that will be permissible.

As we go to press, the GAA is lobbying hard for that number to be increased to 500 and though nearly all of us appreciate the Government’s cautious approach given the worrying rise in inflections all over the globe, there is surely some grounds for leeway here, especially as being outdoors is the safest place to be.

Moreover, a gathering of 500 won’t compromise social distancing guidelines given the vast area around pitches. This is just common sense, but the GAA and other sporting codes are paying the price for the ‘one size fits all’ approach. The two big problems now are house parties and international travel in and out of the country.

Even with the figure of 500, club officials were already in a nightmare situation. There is such a pent-up desire among people to go out and see something, that crowds going to games were anticipated to be bigger than normal. Now, we are in a scenario resembling the ‘loaves and fishes’ miracle.

In many cases after the players, mentors and officials have been looked after, clubs have barely 30 tickets left to distribute, leading to understandable frustration and agitation. And it’s the bigger matches held at the best equipped venues which will have the numbers attending most rigorously enforced.

There were a series of minor and U21 held games held in various counties last weekend and we are hearing reports of over 500 attending in some cases. Venues that aren’t fenced in are obviously more difficult to patrol, but hosting clubs are just being sensible . . . how can you turn away the parents, for instance, of a player involved.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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