Colm O'Rourke

Independentie

Thursday, 4 June 2020 | 11.6°C Dublin

News [1]
Opinion [2]
Business [3]
Sport [4]
Life [5]
Style [7]
Entertainment [8]
Travel [9]

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Independentie

News [1]
Opinion [2]
Business [3]
Sport [4]
Life [5]
Style [7]
Entertainment [8]
Travel [9]

Menu Sections

Colm O'Rourke

'What would be wrong with a master fixtures plan coming from Croke Park with a complete revision of the season and a rebalancing between county and club?' (stock photo)

Colm O'Rourke Opinion We're wasting an ideal time to fix the fixtures dilemma for once and for all

I have read many considered pieces over the last couple of months on the subject of fixtures in the GAA. The words that kept cropping up most were 'amend', 'reform', 'improve', 'adjust' and, my favourite, 'recalibrate'. The general drift has been that this period of inactivity is an opportunity for a major overhaul of the fixtures calendar.

'The GAA advisory group should have no qualms about giving proper advice which will run completely contrary to central Government policy or NPHET or whoever is running the country.' Stock photo

Colm O'Rourke Opinion There is no scientific or medical reason for the GAA to keep grounds locked until July 20

In being the bearer of bad news last week, GAA president John Horan found himself in a bind created by Government policy. However, he at least left himself an out, in the form of a new advisory group to help plot some kind of road back for Gaelic games.

Colm O'Rourke Opinion At least all that anxiety is lifted, and good students will still thrive

The axe came down last Friday and the Leaving Cert exams were abandoned. It has all been a bit messy. The last to know through this whole saga have been the students, teachers and parents drip-fed information from the media.

Dick Clerkin says there is far more needed than opening GAA pitches for children to feel a part of society again

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Children need to play... How the GAA should be getting ready for a return sooner rather than later

We have reached the point where different worlds collide. The yearning for some sort of respite or normality is being doused by the scientists and medics. If all this is taken to its natural conclusion, there will be no movement towards old normality until a vaccine arrives. Don't hold your breath on that one. In real terms, Friday's announcement changed little.

MINISTER: Joe McHugh. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Colm O'Rourke Opinion As students wait for answers, the only result so far is uncertainty

The canals in Venice are getting cleaner and clearer. The education waters in Ireland are getting muddier by the day. When the minister decided to abandon the Leaving Cert in June with no other plan in place, there was utter confusion among parents, students and teachers. I was bombarded by people looking for answers. When will the exams begin? What is the story about classes in July? Will school reopen in May or even September? What is happening with the Junior Cert? Will teachers off in June or July or be expected to teach in class or online? What is the plan?

'The GAA are going to be down massive money this year no matter what happens.' Photo: Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Clubs the length and breadth of the country will fight on and survive no matter how tough the road ahead

When we emerge back into the light there will be a few Robinson Crusoe lookalikes. Crusoe was marooned on a desert island for years and arrived back into civilisation with shaggy hair and a long beard. Tom Hanks had a siimiliar experience in Castaway, except he had no Friday, Crusoe's man servant, when he made a return.

UNDER PRESSURE: Education Minister Joe McHugh felt the need to make a decision. Picture: Collins

Colm O'Rourke Opinion This half-baked plan for Leaving Cert raises more questions than it answers

If postponing the Leaving Cert until July or August represents certainty, then I would not like to see the definition of confusion.

‘There are many who cannot get out to matches who would not mind paying a tenner to see their team playing’ Photo: Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Can anyone honestly see 82,000 attending an All-Ireland final this year? GAA must be inventive to save season

The world's great sporting events continue to fall like dominoes. The Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, big soccer and rugby fixtures...

'The most motivated students and parents will continue to work hard on making the best of this crisis but a very high percentage will do less and less. Especially the non exam years'

Colm O'Rourke Opinion For the sake of our students, a way should be found to carry out this year's Leaving Cert

All secondary students should have been starting their Easter holidays this Friday. A time for a bit of freedom, with Leaving Cert students in particular using it as a time for a more relaxed study regime. Instead, we are caught in the half light, not knowing whether school will resume at all or maybe on a phased basis for exam classes. The phrase ''school is out'' has taken on a new meaning.

Stephen Cluxton, arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time, leads his men on All-Ireland final day

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Cluxton or Cullen? Bernard Snr or Jnr? Who makes the cut in a tale of two Dublins?

This is the long day's journey into night. It may take a while but games will resume, people will argue, laugh and complain about such trivial things as football, or maybe such important things as football. Our games measure the temperature of the nation during the year and when they return we will think even more of them. A bad county match, a brilliant junior B club game and even more so a group of under 10s going at it... these scenes colour our lives.