LISTEN: “It’s all about the safe return to play”-John Cregan

Last week it was confirmed that there would be GAA championships played this summer after fears that we would be without one for the first time in over a century.

For Limerick GAA Chairman, John Cregan, the news has come as a huge boost with work going on behind the scenes to ensure a safe return to play in the county.

“We’re delighted that eventually it appears that we are going to have some activity on the field of play, that’s most welcome. When we talk about the GAA’s return to play, it’s all about the safe return to play. That will bring challenges to our clubs and to our Intercounty teams to ensure that we can be compliant and that we are responsible. We’ll do things according to protocols.”

Cregan has hinted at a change in the format of the club championships in the county but is hopeful that it will not be straight knockout with teams getting a second chance.

“We would like to see teams have two chances and with the window we are provided with, we feel that that is manageable. On that basis we have been trying to put a format in place.”

With social distancing expected to be a staple in the country for the foreseeable future, there is the possibility that games will be played behind closed doors.

As such, Cregan is hoping that games will be streamed online.

“There is a chance that when we return to action, depending on HSE guidelines, we might not be able to have spectators present. To that end we have looked at livestreaming our games. If people cannot attend, it is important that people would have the chance to watch the games live online so we are very much working towards that as well.”