A number of GAA players have responded to the government's new restrictions surrounding sporting events which means all matches will now have to be played behinds closed doors.
The GAA itself asked the Government to provide "empirical evidence" for the decision to ban all spectators from sporting events until at least September 13th.
Kilkenny hurler TJ Reid said on Twitter that "GAA Clubs and Counties are after sacrificing so much since March. We have lead by example, we have listened and adapted. They are other problems that need to be addressed, but yet sporting events gets punished for doing everything right."
GAA Clubs and Counties are after sacrificing so much since March. We have lead by example, we have listened and adapted. They are other problems that need to be addressed, but yet sporting events gets punished for doing everything right. #GAA #unfair #sport https://t.co/JMvQ8vbZim
— TJ Reid (@_tjreid) August 18, 2020
Former Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy also chimed in after the restrictions were announced saying:
"Sums all this nonsense up perfectly. Who signed off on this? We’re aloud 30 on the pitch for a game but only 15 on a pitch for training. Why aren’t people just asked to wear masks into the game and keep social distancing in place for the love of god."
Sums all this nonsense up perfectly. Who signed off on this. We’re aloud 30 on the pitch for a game but only 15 on a pitch for training. Why aren’t people just asked to wear masks into the game and keep social distancing in place for the love of god. #madness #GAA https://t.co/M0nUImZtug
— Kieran Donaghy (@starryboy14) August 19, 2020
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Up until now, 200 people were allowed to attend an outdoor sporting event. Plans had been discussed to raise this number to 500 but they were put on hold after a rise in the number of Covid-19 infection levels.
Monaghan footballer Mícheál Bannigan questioned the government's decision, citing the issue of parents having to wait until a match is done to collect their children from games.
So the government expect parents to drive their children to a game (because car pooling and buses aren’t allowed) and wait outside the grounds for an hour until it’s over? #GAA #COVID19
Advertisement— Mícheál Bannigan (@MichealBann10) August 18, 2020
Kildare GAA also released a statement today informing people of what the new restrictions mean for upcoming matches:
"Following last night’s government announcement the GAA is seeking clarification on a number of issues relating to the organisation of Gaelic games and activities. As soon as we get clarity on these issues we will update our units.
"In the meantime, as games must now be played "behind closed doors", no more than 40 persons per team should be allowed access to games for the moment."
"Following this evening’s unexpected announcement the GAA invites Dr Ronan Glynn and NPHET to present the empirical evidence which informed the requirement for the association to curtail its activities," the GAA said.
"The association will tonight be issuing an invitation to Dr Glynn to meet with its Covid Advisory Group in this regard without delay. The GAA and its members remain at all times committed to protecting public health."
