BECOME AN ADVERTISER
Still No Sign Of Schools Football
Monday 14.12.2020
With the school Christmas Holidays just a few days away the prospects of any competitive football this year seem further away than ever.
As a result of the pandemic several competitions including the blue riband Mac Rory Cup itself were not completed last year. It was hoped than the outstanding games would be completed early in the new academic year but sadly that was not to be. The decision to shelve those games was taken early in the term and the focus then turned to facilitating this year’s programme.
The proposal to run both the Ranafast and the Mac Rory Cup as a straight knock out competition beginning in November was well received. Unfortunately with the COVID situation still causing concern government and GAA guidelines meant this also became a non starter.
As it stands currently under COVID directives schools can trial and train in groups of up to fifteen but all sessions must be non contact. In addition to this there are no extra curricular sessions allowed meaning that the after school activities central to preparation for competition cannot take place.
The Ulster Schools GAA committee that oversees the competitions knows it faces a huge challenge within a limited time frame if it is to get the competitions underway post Christmas. However with the possibility of a further spike in numbers after the Christmas break the chances of competitive action getting underway in January are slim. Further guidelines will be released by Ulster Schools GAA in the New Year but for the pupils and teachers involved with the teams the long and frustrating wait for their first meaningful activity of the academic year continues.
Similar Stories
