THE current coronavirus situation has left a lot of uncertainty hanging over the 2020 season.

On Friday night, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced plans to ease Ireland out of lockdown. Step four of that plan, due to come into place on July 20, could see the GAA club season start in 26 counties with limitations on the number of spectators and a need for social distancing.

The British government is expected to outline their own plans this week, something that would have an impact on six of Ulster’s nine counties.

That in itself could cause major difficulties if the two timelines differ, but it remains a fluid situation.

In order to get more of an insight on how the club player is feeling, Gaelic Life has conducted a survey of 100 recipients about the crisis.

The respondents come from all nine counties with input coming from all four codes as well.

This study demonstrates a number of important patterns of how the club player is currently feeling about the0 current situation.

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com

Question ONE

Analysis

WHILE more players were happy to play behind closed doors than unhappy, we can see by the numbers that it remains a very divisive issue. A number of the respondents who answered ‘happy’ said that they were torn on their decision, while many others said that they would play without hesitation.

Other players who said ‘unhappy’ said that they wouldn’t feel comfortable playing until a vaccine was found. A number of those surveyed said that without spectators the games wouldn’t be as meaningful. The strongest opposition to playing behind closed doors came in Antrim where many respondents stated that they wouldn’t feel safe currently. Derry was another county that saw more people opting for ‘unhappy’. There were no such fears in Cavan with just one player saying that they would be unhappy to play behind closed doors. Players surveyed from Armagh (71%), Monaghan (89%) and Tyrone (69%) were also strongly in favour of playing behind closed doors.

Question TWO

Analysis

THE idea of club leagues being played this season is becoming increasingly far-fetched, but it’s evident that very few would have an issue with this.

The fear of a one-game season was cited amongst those who answered ‘no’, as was opposition to a season being rushed through.

Overwhelmingly though, players were of the opinion that championship was much more important than the league – and if the latter had to go, so be it.

Despite the one-sided answer to this particular question, Derry was the only county that had 100 percent of respondents saying that they would scrap their league to save the championship. The county most opposed was Donegal (29%).

Question THREE

Analysis

NEATLY summing up the uncertainty that is prevailing across the country right now, exactly half of respondents believe that they will get to line out with their club this year while the other half don’t.

Optimism v pessimism, realism v belief – whatever your stance, it is clear that this is something that is splitting players’ views.

Down and Fermanagh respondents were strongly of the opinion that there would be no club action, with about two-thirds in both counties landing on ‘no.’ Derry was another county that had a majority in the ‘no’ camp.

Monaghan was the most optimistic county with Antrim also coming down strongly in favour of ‘yes’.

POLL BREAK DOWN FROM MALE RESPONDENTS

Question 1

Would you be happy or unhappy to play club competitions behind closed doors?

Happy

63%

Unhappy

37%

Question 2

Would you support the scrapping of the club leagues if it meant the club championships could proceed in 2020?

Yes

89%

No

11%

Question 3

Do you believe you will get to play with your club in 2020?

Yes

51%

No

49%

 

POLL BREAK DOWN FROM FEMALE RESPONDENTS

Question 1

Would you be happy or unhappy to play club competitions behind closed doors?

Happy

62%

Unhappy

38%

 

Question 2

Would you support the scrapping of the club leagues if it meant the club championships could proceed in 2020?

Yes

76%

No

24%

 

Question 3

Do you believe you will get to play with your club in 2020?

Yes

43%

No

57%

POLL BREAK DOWN FROM RESPONDENTS WHO ARE OVER 25

Question 1

Would you be happy or unhappy to play club competitions behind closed doors?

Happy

60%

Unhappy

40%

Question 2

Would you support the scrapping of the club leagues if it meant the club championships could proceed in 2020?

Yes

84%

No

16%

Question 3

Do you believe you will get to play with your club in 2020?

Yes

46%

No

54%

 

POLL BREAK DOWN FROM RESPONDENTS WHO ARE UNDER 25

Question 1

Would you be happy or unhappy to play club competitions behind closed doors?

Happy

61%

Unhappy

39%

Question 2

Would you support the scrapping of the club leagues if it meant the club championships could proceed in 2020?

Yes

88%

No

12%

 

Question 3

Do you believe you will get to play with your club in 2020?

Yes

55%

No

45%