Ireland is basking in glorious sunny weather this June Bank Holiday weekend with temperatures today ranging from twenty to twenty-five degrees.
It makes playing conditions difficult so it was perhaps unsurprising when both Mayo and Louth put in a request to have a water break during their Round 2 All-Ireland series encounter in Castlebar this afternoon.
The water break had been introduced in the GAA during the Covid-19 pandemic, coming half-way through each period, however it was scrapped in January 2022 when the association announced the return of the Maor Uisce.
The GAA refused both side's requests ahead of today's game and that decision did not go down well on The Sunday Game Live as Ciarán Whelan and Seán Cavanagh joined Joanne Cantwell in the thankfully outdoor presentation area.
As things stand, there will be no water breaks for teams today despite the promise of temperateures in the 20s
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Sunday Game pundits slam GAA over water break decision
"Sometimes Joanne you think of common sense and common sense should apply on a day like today," Whelan said.
"That can be very frustrating sometimes with the GAA. We'll need a water break watching the matches here today so you can understand that it will be very, very warm down on the pitch.
"It worked throughout Covid. Common sense and a bit of cop on should apply."
Cavanagh agreed with his colleague.
"They seem to be able to turn it on in professional sports. It happens in the likes of soccer and what not very quickly.
"The players aren't used to playing in these conditions," he added.
"They took out the Maor Uisce because they were standing in positions for kickouts and being a distraction so what's the alternative? You have to provide water for the players," the former Dublin player added.
"It's nonsense."
Players from both sides will of course still be able to take on water during the game which is vitally important for both sides.
A Mayo win would all but secure a championship quarter-final spot, while after losing to Cork in their opening game, Louth desperately need a result.
SEE ALSO: Joe Brolly: 'Kerry's Mediocrity Is Shocking'
