Derry manager Rory Gallagher "disappointed" at GAA elite decision but optimistic over inter-county season

Derry manager Rory Gallagher admits he was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the Irish Government’s decision to revoke elite status for senior inter-county Gaelic Games but he remains optimistic the county season will go ahead.
Derry manager Rory GallagherDerry manager Rory Gallagher
Derry manager Rory Gallagher

The GAA confirmed on Wednesday that it had been advised by Government representatives that the county game was no longer covered under the current Level 5 exemptions covering elite sports in the south. The GAA had received clearance during the previous Level Five lockdown from October to December.

The revelation means any return to inter-county training or games is unlikely to be allowed until Easter at the earliest and will force a restructuring of the proposed GAA calendar if, and when, restrictions are lifted.

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Speaking on ‘Morning Ireland’ yesterday morning, the Taoiseach insisted the exemption for senior inter-county football and hurling granted in 2020 was “always timed to end at the end of the year” and said policy in this area would be reviewed over the coming weeks.

It means more uncertainty and while Gallagher was understanding of the Government’s wish to put health and safety first, he said it was difficult to fathom how inter-county players could not be considered ‘elite’.

“I would be optimistic about the inter-county season going ahead,” said the Derry manager, “I think the reality is that club football is not going to be allowed in the south of Ireland until well down the line so I see a good window definitely for county football to get going.

“To be straight, I would be very disappointed for the GAA as a whole that it is not considered elite status. I’m not so sure other sports live in this ‘bubble’ that people perceive they do. I’m sure some of the players from other sports considered elite have part-time jobs or mix in the community as well but I certainly feel the way inter-county players are, these players want to consider themselves elite in terms of the level they are playing at.

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“Club teams now are extremely well organised as well and put in a phenomenal effort so it’s disappointing for everyone who puts that effort in but at the end of the day I still think we will get playing football this year, 100%.”

Gallagher said the criteria for being considered elite should not necessarily relate only to full time professional sport

“The guys get a bit of government funding through the GPA grant or whatever and people can argue the rights and wrongs of that but to be considered themselves elite, they are not asking to be professional. They all go to work, school or college but there’s no point getting too excited, I just think that it’s a bit disappointing.

“I know from the teams that I have been involved with, the way they look after themselves, they want to train five, six days a week. They want to train with an end goal which is football, to play football together with their friends and that’s the big thing that has been taken away at the minute.”

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Gallagher admitted the decision had taken him by surprise but said most counties are now well set up to deal with remote, individual training.

“I don’t think anyone seemed to be expecting that decision but you have to trust people who know more than us as regards to the Covid and what’s good for people,” he explained, “There so no doubt it’s disappointing but we have to take it on the chin.

“The boys are training away individually. The one thing I have to say is since we got back together mid-September last year, the attitude from the boys has been excellent. They now have Peter Hughes working really, really well with them and they can do an awful lot. They were well set up from the original lockdown with a lot of equipment etc at home.

“That’s all well and good but we all sign up to play football, not go to the gym, or do 5ks and we are not playing football. To most players it is their big passion in life and it is the same for GAA folk across the country, that’s what’s most devastating.”

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The Derry manager was less optimistic for the short term prospects of a return for the club game in the south but said there was a window for inter-county action.

“I think there is a window, mainly because I don’t believe they will allow club football for a period of time yet. It is going to be hectic and it is going to be crammed when you run the two (league and championship) together but we will all enjoy it when it comes.

“I can’t see club football being played this side of June or July in the south, which is a blow but hopefully we can make the most of whatever time we do get. To be fair to the GAA, they want to work with the government on health and safety first and foremost, that’s understandable. That’s for another day and for other people to discuss but it would be nice for inter-county players, both in football and in hurling, who with the way they train and prepare, probably consider themselves as professional as anyone, to have something to aim for.

“It is like how long is a piece of string and to be fair to county boards and other bodies, no one can get clarity at the minute. I think whatever decision they give next, they’d like it to be concrete. I think it is very clear they don’t want a return to Level 5 at any stage when we come out of this lockdown. I think the plan is to make sure it is done safely and ensure that every body gets back in such a way that we are not forced to take backward steps again in the future.

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“At the end of the day, we are in a much better place now in terms of the vaccinations are coming out, things are starting to head in the right direction that way.”

And despite his frustrations, Gallagher was pleased with the progress his Derry squad have been making.

“I think people are used to it now, they are mature enough to do their own stuff but there is no doubt the squad miss hanging about together,” he admitted, “They have been accustomed to that for a long time and things can be difficult to tell over the phone.

For the younger lads who are possibly doing their college stuff online, they end up with a lot of down time and time to themselves. They are just itching to get back. The lads that are working, or are able to work from home, they are able to get on relatively normal.

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“It has been frustrating but since the lockdown I’m very glad myself, the backroom team and the boys have used the time wisely. I am very, very pleased with the direction we are going. I am very pleased with the panel we have. Now we just want to get out and train and play and win football matches.

“The big thing was building consistency but the attitude since we came back has been really brilliant from everyone. We know they are putting the effort in from the work they are feeding in and the way they are liaising with Peter.”