GAA helped country to cope in 2020
In his final address before handing over his seal of office, outgoing County Chairperson John Devane said “2020 will go down as probably the most difficult year many of us have ever known.”
By Shane Brophy
The upheaval Covid-19 caused will never be forgotten and while sport might seem irrelevant and trivial when compared to the daily task of living and trying to cope with this deadly virus but for many, involvement in sport helped so many to cope, particularly the club championships, and he said the excitement of this years competitions in hurling and football are an indication that the structure changes in recent years are working.
“The three-tier club hurling championship that we had this year is exactly what this county has needed for a long time,” he said.
“The shortened club season, brought about by the Covid restrictions, meant that we now had for the first time ever, sixteen team competitions with the top eight qualifying for the quarter finals with no link from the divisional championships. All three were very competitive, every club graded by their performance over the previous year. All three finals were excellent, the winners, Kiladangan, Mullinahone and Gortnahoe-Glengoole were worthy winners with a special mention to that great dual club, Loughmore-Castleiney who were most unlucky in both senior hurling and football finals.”
He added: “I know many people still wish to retain the divisional link and feel we should return to that, but I strongly believe there should be no going back, please let the best teams qualify on merit, not based on geography.” However, he feels a revamp is needed for club football championships.
“Our hurling competitions have been revamped based on merit. the same does not apply to football,” he said.
“There are not sixteen teams of senior standard in Tipperary. And at Intermediate level, some clubs are there against their will. The winners of three of the four groups could be predicted well in advance in the senior championship. Would eight or ten or twelve be far better for both our clubs and our competitions. We did have, like the hurling, excellent finals, with Clonmel Commercials and Rockwell Rovers being victorious.”
The Covid restrictions on crowds attending club games also led to new initiatives with less handling of cash with tickets having to be bought online, plus the streaming of games for those watching at home and he said this is an initiative that can be expanded on.
Devane highlighted the joy the Tipperary senior footballers provided to the county with their Munster championship success last month.
“This team captured the hearts of Tipperary people everywhere and neutrals as well,” he said.
“Whilst the All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo was a tough experience, it was part of a steep learning curve. At that level mistakes will be punished in full. Playing regularly at a higher level will solve that.”