Day 325 (who’s counting) of Covid-19 lockdown
We can all recall where we were; as then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar took to the steps in Washington and announced the first lockdown.
Considering where we find ourselves now, it was relaxed in nature, especially time wise with schools, colleges and childcare facilities set to close until March 29th, this announcement made on March 12th.
Three days later hotel bars and pubs were “asked” to close for a two week period.
Yes it was a strange time, but there perhaps was an element of novelty to what was happening.
When the GAA announced the postponement of the Allianz national football league for two weeks and indeed all club activity at all levels, that is when we sat up, took notice and realised we were in a serious situation.
Other sporting associations did make similar announcements but it is fair to say the GAA call was the one that struck home.
With the league put on hold, thoughts immediately turned to the championship and it was quickly noted that there would be a knock on effect.
Clubs, the heartbeat of the community were suddenly doing the unthinkable, closing their doors and locking them! chains went up on gates and signs asked you to say away.
Teams that were just about to the hit the ground running in regards to championship training had to hit the brakes.
The initial thought, was that the leagues would get going again in April, even though that month had been given over to club action, which would only be but a minor inconvenience.
One week ran into the next followed by month after month, no games, no training no opening of club gates.
Attention instead turned to helping the communities.
With the lockdown of spring 2020 well underway, the GAA club and committee members became the heartbeat of the community.
Messages were run, vulnerable members of society were visited and meals were delivered. Fundraising for frontline workers and PPE gear for those that required it was spearheaded by clubs guided by the association from Croke Park.
Challenges via social media platforms were created to continue the skill and development of the sport but also as a welcome distraction and provided in particular idle young hands and feet something to do.
Daily updates were forthcoming from the leaders and experts, even after the leadership of the country was changed midway through the pandemic, but one constant remained, the guidance of the GAA club and the leadership shown by its committee of volunteers at local level.
The reward for adhering to the first lock down was an easing of restrictions, different levels were constructed and planned, but the little bit of normality we were all looking for came when the GAA announced the start of club games again.
Restrictions were in place, training pods, and protocols and games with reduced spectators before going behind closed doors. It was however the return of action that give hope to possibly leaving the Coronavirus behind us.
The virus came back, (did it ever go away.) Club championship celebrations as much as they were tried to be controlled were to blame for the increase numbers of community transmissions. The GAA accepted that, the action stopped once more with some competitions incomplete.
However the inter-county scene remained.
County panels were given “Elite Sport” status, the league finished up and the championship came and went, again under very strict protocol and behind closed doors.
Millions of euro from the government coffers was directed to the association, they without doubt knew that while they were maybe loosing the public attention the GAA so embedded into the community were still in touch.
The easing of restrictions prior to Christmas has seen the country once again pay a heavy price with Level 5 restrictions once more in place to March fifth at the earliest.
Collective training for inter county teams was due to return at the end of January. Again the GAA led by example and prior to any government announcement about a third lockdown, they postponed all GAA activity once more.
The country and community were prepared, the leaders only had to confirm what we all knew was coming.
At the present moment much speculation is surrounding the return of GAA action, you know the moment that its return is announced, it will be seen by many as coming out the other side of Covid 19.
The association must chose carefully when to make this call.
Daily updates and reports will continue to fill the newsfeeds, our countries leaders will continue to advise us on what we must do.
We will watch and we will listen but come the day, the hour and the moment one imagines the lead of the GAA will be followed.
They continue to be a community more so than a sporting organisation.
