No discussion as yet on County Championships

THE Tyrone County Board has not discussed any potential changes to their club championship structures for the 2020 season – although that may end up being unnecessary anyway.

 

Red Hand PRO Eugene McConnell has confirmed that they were adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach and that they required further instructions from the GAA regarding the current coronavirus situation.

 

The Association has suspended all activity until July 20, but it is hoped that club training will be able to resume at that date. 

 

If it goes to plan, that could lead to club championships beginning in August. 

 

Originally the idea of all teams getting at least two club championship games was discussed by the GAA, but it is understood that knock-out football and hurling is becoming an increasingly likely scenario.

 

As one of the few Ulster counties still operating a knock-out system, that could lead to less disruption in Tyrone, but McConnell said that it was a discussion for another day.

 

“We’re holding fire, you couldn’t go on a solo run until there was a clear directive from the powers that be,” said McConnell.

 

“Everyone will have to follow the same protocol otherwise it isn’t workable.

 

“Everyone wants something to look forward to, something to cling on to. There is a real appetite for action.

 

“If it’s going to be July 20 or if it’s going to be August 9 or 10 or whatever, well at least it’s not a million miles down the road.”

 

While we could have club action in August, any inter-county football and hurling remains a long way off with matches before October all but ruled out. The prospect of games being played behind closed doors has also been dampened.

 

“The GAA still firmly hopes to be able to play county and club competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance,” the Association said in a statement.

 

“We can confirm however that no inter-county games are expected to take place before October.

 

“Counties are asked, in the interest of players, to suspend all inter-county training until further notice.

 

“There will be a phased resumption of training at both club and county level to allow players to prepare appropriately for playing games.

 

“While not categorically ruling out the possible staging of games behind closed doors later in the year, there appears to be a lack of appetite for this type of fixture-scheduling at the current time across the wider Association.”

 

Meanwhile, the LGFA were surveying county team captains, managers, referees and club and county executives over the weekend to gather their views on the current situation.

 

At a meeting on Thursday night of last week, the LGFA’s Central Council agreed to change the registration date for 2020 to August 1 in an effort to assist clubs.

 

The registration dates for 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be July 1, June 1 and April 1 respectively.