Change of status a surprise

It was, to say the least, an interesting week especially when news broke that the exemption which allowed intercounty games to proceed under Level 5 restrictions no longer applied.

The majority of managers and players who were planning for a return to training in the early weeks of March were taken by surprise, and barring a sudden change of direction, it looks like it will be April before training now resumes.

Of course, the knock-on effect is that the league, due to start in March, will now be deferred again as all counties will be afforded a four-week training period before playing a competitive game.

That is if the league is actually played; the desire is there to do so as it would be very unfair to ask counties to go straight into championship without a number of competitive games under their belts.

The other aspect of the league starting later, is that it will affect the championship start and as a consequence, there’ll be a later finish.

What is strange is that League of Ireland soccer has been given the go ahead to start in March, and best of luck to the Cork and Cobh teams by the way, and yet intercounty GAA is denied that opportunity.

Initially the All-Ireland Finals were scheduled for July, this could now be pushed back to August or even later, again dependent on when games actually get underway.

The fact that draws have yet to be made is an indication that all plans are now on hold. What will this do for club activity, which can only be played under Level 2? It’s a long way off even if the numbers, thankfully, are falling every day.

The GAA are still open for a split season, HQ are advocating the intercounty season first, club to follow, while others wish it was reversed in the hope that later in the year some crowds might be able to attend games, thereby generating badly needed finance.

Mentioning finance, the figures released certainly echoed what we all knew, accumulative losses of €34m across the four provincial councils and county boards, and this does not factor in the plight of clubs many of whom are struggling with little or no income. Yet bills have to be paid and pitches and facilities have to be maintained.

It does not take a genius to work out that the deficit and something similar for this year will have an impact on any major developments the Association had planned for the coming years. Already the proposed plans for the Cusack Stand in Croke Park and Semple Stadium have been put on hold.

Clubs who are hoping for grants from their respective councils might also have to rethink as what’s not there cannot be given out. Interestingly in Ard Stiúthóir Tom Ryan’s report, he expressed disappointment that the GAA were unable to complete the various county championships and had to cancel the provincial and All-Ireland club championships.

In total 11 county finals at senior level around the country are yet to finish and there is a strong desire to complete them.

Cork are one of those counties with a senior final to finish, Nemo Rangers vs Castlehaven, add in the others, five in total, with Éire Óg doubly involved and it is going to be challenging to say the least for the fixture makers to fit them in, while at the same time, plan for the year ahead.

Christy Ryan RIP

It was late on Tuesday night last week that I received word that Christy had lost his battle with an illness he had battled with all the bravery and tenacity that he displayed in the red of Cork and more importantly in the blue of his beloved St Finbarr’s.

Many heartfelt tributes have been paid in the last week, from former players, mentors and friends, while tributes came from other counties too, notably Kerry, Dublin and Meath.

On Wednesday I spoke with John Cremin in his role as President of St Finbarr’s Hurling and Football Club, but importantly, as a friend and playing colleague of Christy.

“This is a very sad day, especially for Miriam and his family as they have lost a loving husband and father, but for us all in the ‘Barr’s it’s a huge loss. Christy was a great player in both codes, but on retiring he gave a lot back as a selector and coach to many teams, who held him in the highest regard.”

“It is hard to believe Christy played 17 consecutive years at senior level in both codes for us, and I can barely recall him missing or even playing a bad game. He gave his all in every game.”

John also spoke about Christy as a person. “He was loyal, considerate, witty, honest, kind and caring with the highest integrity both in business and in life in general, and I was privileged to call him a friend and to have witnessed his courage and bravery on and off the field.”

Christy was unable to get the send-off he deserved but John said: “Sometime in the future when all this is over, we will gather and celebrate the life of one of nature’s gentlemen and an absolute legend in our club.”

In a rather sad and ironic twist, a short few weeks ago Cork bid farewell to Eamonn Ryan, who in 1983 was coach to the Cork footballers who defeated Kerry in the Munster Final. The captain that July was none other than Christy Ryan, I bet they’re having a good chat about it now.

Rest easy Christy, taken too soon.

Comings and goings

Two key players who represented Cork in camogie and ladies football last year will not be available for the coming season.

Pamela Mackey, who will captain her club Douglas, has for personal reasons declared herself unavailable for Paudie Murray’s camogie side, but hopes to resume her intercounty career in 2022.

Pamela is a very experienced player, five All-Ireland medals won, and that experience will be missed.

Saoirse Noonan has opted out of the ladies football team to concentrate on soccer having transferred from Cork City to Shelbourne as she bids to secure a place on the Ireland international team, and her absence robs the Cork attack of a quality player.

Daniel Kearney will captain Sarsfields for the season ahead and a very good appointment by their new manager is bringing in former Waterford player Peter Queally as coach.

Daniel Lane is the new Runaí of the East Cork Junior Board and how good it is to see the younger generation stepping up to.

Finally, just ten days to the Camogie Board and Jigsaw Cork virtual 5km run and walk, and it’s not too late to sign up. Check out the Cork Camogie Board social media pages for further details. Stay safe and take care.