The GAA are mulling over a decision to play out the club championship season before the inter-county season in 2021.
It would mean that there could potentially be a situation whereby club players go an entire year without a championship if the Central Council return to their regular calendar in 2022.
The rationale behind the GAA contemplation on a change of calendar comes from government guidelines surrounding COVID-19 and allowing fans to return to stadiums. It seems as though only a small number of spectators may be allowed into grounds during the first half of 2021, which is when the inter-county championship is set to be played.
An inversion of that calendar would see the club championship begin in February, with the potential for it to play through to July. The inter-county championship, on the other hand, would start in late Summer and continue through the Autumn.
The original plan was that the county period would commence in late February with the Allianz Leagues based on split football divisions and hurling remaining virtually the same with reduced knockout stages.
The Championship, with qualifiers, would start in April before concluding in July before the county club championships kickstarting in late summer.
This decision may be taken in order to maximise the gate receipts the GAA receives throughout 2021, with the COVID-19 pandemic decimating HQ reserves. A move to swap calendars would see more fans being able to witness inter-county games.
In terms of backing, the Club Players Association have already stated their support for playing the inter-county championship before the club championship. However, some leading figures in the GAA, namely Tipperary senior hurling manager Liam Sheedy, have issued their support for a calendar swap.
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