Colm O'Rourke

Colm O'Rourke Opinion The GAA was sold a pup - and it's all because of the schools

The GAA's chiefs had to swallow hard when news emerged last week that the limit on crowd sizes was going to stay at 200. There was frustration, surprise and indeed a great deal of anger about the decision as it appears the GAA at the highest level was led to believe the limit would be raised to 500.

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Enough already: let's just get on with it

The much-awaited document for opening schools came through last week. It is long and detailed. It could be summarised as follows: Get on with it. That is the message for teachers and especially principals.

Croke Park during the 2019 All-Ireland final

Colm O'Rourke Opinion GPA at a crossroads facing big decisions on future path

The Gaelic Players Association published their annual report last week. Not too many passed any remarks. For most people the GPA represents damaged goods.

Colm O'Rourke Opinion New normal is working well but some tweaks are required - 200 really is a ludicrous limit for big GAA venues

The pandemic seems to have been good for one sport - golf. When footballers and hurlers could not do anything else they were able to play golf, so many clubs have had a surge in membership. The fact that occasional golfers who just paid green fees could only play now as members forced their hand. The choice was join or don't play at all. So a game which was struggling to attract new young members has been given a boost. It's an ill wind that does not blow some good.

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Exams debacle is not over by a long shot

The Department of Health used to be the place to dump a minister. It was once described as 'Angola' - a place where only problems emerged and never solutions. Now that title seems to have been transferred to education, and last week we had another example of how not to do things.

Ratoath supporters watch from outside of the fence during the Meath County Senior Football League match against Syddan at Sean Eiffe Park. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion I don't like what I see. The GAA season is now in grave danger due to some reckless behaviour

Not long ago I was in the hawks' camp in wanting to get our games going quicker. When it came to easing restrictions the GAA were behind the curve as the leadership took a conservative route. There was nothing necessarily wrong with that approach either.

GAA president John Horan. Photo: Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion We can't expect to keep players involved with clubs unless we give them games to play

Last week, the GAA got tough. Neither John Horan nor Tom Ryan should have to speak softly and carry a big stick, but if county boards don't or won't carry out directives from Croke Park then the whole organisation becomes ungovernable

St Sylvester’s players Eoghan Manning and Brian Walsh attach netting to the goal before a hurling challenge against St Patrick’s Donabate at Malahide Castle last week. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach

Colm O'Rourke Opinion The fists and sticks of faction fighting days may be gone but no shock in emergence of usual club/county conflict

It's a pity that all of the goodwill generated by the return to play did not last long. Faction fighting was a feature of GAA activity in the past. The fists and sticks have been replaced by more sophisticated methods but everyone still fights their corner so it only took a few days before the usual club/county conflict emerged.

This is pushing an open door. What clubs always wanted was handed to them in a time of crisis but it is still being taken away’. Photo: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion What could go wrong with the GAA's club/county plan? As it turns out, quite a lot

It looked like the perfect solution. A designated club window until September and then the county scene could take over.

The gates of clubs remain closed while players train in increasing numbers in public parks, on beaches or any other bit of ground that they can find’. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Another fine mess will see us having a drink and a haircut before we can play

The worst job in the world was being handed out in GAA clubs last week. It is called the Covid Supervisor. There were no long queues, orderly or disorderly, seeking the post.

Hannah Jacobs (9) passes to Katie Sheridan (10) as they practice their skills in Sean Moore Park, beside Clanna Gael Fontenoy club grounds in Sandymount, Dublin yesterday. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Conservative GAA roadmap needs to be revised as numbers don't stack up

The GAA's roadmap for a resumption of football and hurling has been welcomed. But there are many GAA supporters I mix with who do not share the view that it is welcome news. They believe the GAA could have done more.

'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.

PACING HIMSELF: ‘I don’t want to peak too soon’

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Getting down to some serious work from home, just like school

A fellow principal rang me recently to relay how well this online teaching was working. Safe to say many were sceptical of how some students would adapt to life away from the structure of the classroom. Anyway, the worst fears are allayed.

‘The game between Richmond and Carlton was played in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is a massive stadium with a capacity of around 100,000. It looked amazing. Mainly because it was empty’. Photo: Michael Willson

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Vision of the future is a slimmed-down season to kill off GAA virus of more, more, more

I watched a recording last Thursday night of an Aussie Rules match between Richmond and Carlton. It was the opening match of the new season, with Richmond starting as champions from 2019. The game was played in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is a massive stadium with a capacity of around 100,000. It looked amazing. Mainly because it was empty.

The GAA's Croke Park headquarters. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion We hope GAA will soon be back to play its central role in life

The GAA world came crashing down in a few minutes last week. It is a reminder that for all the improvements in technology and advancements in science, we still only have limited control of our destiny as the outbreak of a virus in China can cripple the world within a few months. The global community has costs as well as benefits.

'The match between Tyrone and Dublin should not have been played last Saturday night. The storm warnings had been issued well in advance and the game should have been delayed for 24 hours, as Mayo versus Kerry was'. Photo: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion The old maxim still applies: whatever you say, say nothing at all

This time it is the calm after the storm. Last weekend was another one of disruption. The GAA must have had a falling out with the weather gods as almost every weekend of serious action in the last month has coincided with a storm.

The GAA’s president-elect, Larry McCarthy, with current president John Horan at this weekend’s Congress at Croke Park. Photo: Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion McCarthy must have the courage to take on major challenges

When the GAA decided to play the 1947 All-Ireland football final in New York's Polo grounds, it was an historic and radical decision. Choices in the meantime could hardly be put in the same revolutionary category.

At Congress next Saturday it will be proposed that post-primary schools competitions should end in January, which defies logic. Photo: Ray Ryan / Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Lessons must be heeded now before elitism destroys the schools game

I have been critical many times in the past of those who have decided that the paying public in Croke Park cannot be trusted with replays on the big screen of controversial (and not so controversial) incidents. At the slightest hint of danger, the screens flash to an advertisement. Censorship GAA style. Meanwhile, over in Lansdowne Road, all acts of foul play are replayed over and over again without any rioting in the streets.

Cork GAA's Pairc Ui Chaoimh stadium. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion GAA is in a healthy financial state, but Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a monument to vanity

Some heavy reading dropped last week in the form of the GAA annual report.

Time and constant practice have helped the Dublin players to hone their skills and ultimately claim silverware and adopting a similar culture is the only option available to other counties if they are to improve from within. Photo: Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke Opinion Nothing wrong with All-Ireland contenders that a few Dubs wouldn't cure

The start of the League has been brilliant. And it will continue. We have seen big crowds and some wonderful matches in the first two rounds, all in benign conditions.

Galway manager Padraic Joyce during the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 2 defeat to Kerry at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Saturday night. Photo: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Colm O'Rourke: 'Former giants in need of resurrection and transformation'

In his book, A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens asserts his belief in the possibility of resurrection and transformation in society. Perhaps there is a modern novel in a tale of two counties, Galway and Meath, and their recent travails in football.