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Hurling

CPA calls for sanctions if club window is not preserved

The Club Players Association (CPA) are calling for all eleven weeks of the club window to be used...



CPA calls for sanctions if clu...
Hurling

CPA calls for sanctions if club window is not preserved

The Club Players Association (CPA) are calling for all eleven weeks of the club window to be used for their stated purpose. 

The CPA have hit out at some counties getting their club championships out of the way quickly in blitz formats. 

Club fixtures can resume on July 31st and will run until October 11th. 

The CPA also want to ensure that club players aren’t “coerced” into training with inter-county sides before the club window is over. 

The inter-county championships are due to get underway on October 17.

 

The CPA want to see the "optimal" use of the club window, adding: "Already we have seen different counties proposing blitz competitions to get club competitions out of the way so their inter-county teams can resume training as early as possible.

"Is this not a once in a lifetime opportunity for the leadership of the GAA to enforce fairness on each county so a level playing field is achieved?".

They've also requested sanctions if inter-county managers pluck players from their club championships.

CPA Chairman Micheál Briody said: ”As an association we must respect the integrity of our club competitions and this means using the time available in the best possible way. Suggestions of running of championships in blitz format or shrunk to a very tight timeframe to enable county preparations are sacrilege and will have long lasting implications.”

“We recognise that 2020 has been a year like no other for us all and we wish to express our deepest sympathy to all GAA clubs who have lost members of their community during this pandemic. We know also that it is the support of clubs that has supported and consoled many bereaved families despite these difficult times of social distancing and uncertainty.

“At the highest level, the GAA have provided very clear and unambiguous leadership in completely closing club facilities at the height of the crisis. This undoubtedly saved lives. We also commend clubs and their members for coming together to help others in their communities during the pandemic. It has shown the underlying strength of the GAA lies in the grassroots community led togetherness.

“Now as we return to play our games it is very positive that club hurling and football has been allocated 11 weeks at the height of summer. It will bring a great lift to communities to get our games back under way, however we have a number of concerns we are asking GAA leadership to address."

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