The Club players Association released the results of their “Return To Play” survey on Monday. The poll involved 3000 players throughout the country, asking, if they would return to play, under what conditions they would play, etc, and the results make for very interesting reading.

Following on from John Horan’s, appearance on the Sunday Game two days ago, where he said a return to GAA action was dependent on the availability of a vaccine or a treatment, there is every possibility, not just this season, but next season’s GAA action may also be a non-runner.

A vaccine is 12-18 months away, finding one is not even guaranteed, so what about an effective treatment? Possibly sooner than a vaccine, but again nothing guaranteed. Has a vaccine ever been found for the common cold? Or the AIDS virus?

It’s going to be a long summer where golf clubs and tennis rackets are sure to get more popular.

Take a look at the results from the CPA

Q1 Would you return to training or playing with your club in 2020?
Yes 57.65%
No 21.92%
Don’t Know 21.22%

Q2 As a spectator would you attend club matches if they were played in 2020?
Yes 60.86%
No 25.85%
Don’t Know 13.72%

Q3 As a spectator would you attend intercounty matches if they were played in 2020?
Yes 33.95%
No 50.37%
Don’t Know 16.08%

Q4 Do you live with a person over 70 years of age or an individual who is defined as vulnerable in terms of Covid19?
Yes 27.33%
No 72.20%
Don’t Know 0.63%

Q5 Would you train or play if every player and official was temperature checked before each training or match?
Yes 63.77%
No 21.56%
Don’t Know 15.00%

Q6 Would you train or play if every player and official wore a mask during the game?
Yes 20.59%
No 68.00%
Don’t Know 11.41%

Q7 If typical club and intercounty games don’t proceed in 2020 would you consider it safe to play in 7 a side games where physical contact is significantly reduced?
Yes 35.74%
No 53.08%
Don’t Know 11.18%

Q8 What do you miss most about the absence of GAA matches?
12.41% Maintaining My Fitness
46.91% The Craic with my Teammates
9.48% Competitiveness
5.82% Training
17.33% Match Days
4.92% Something to Talk About
3.13% Other

Q9 Since the Covid19 lockdown began in mid-March has your club been proactive in organising any of the following activities? (Tick as many as applicable)
76.02% Help for the elderly and vulnerable people in your area
70.04% Arranging training and fitness plans for players to carry out themselves
63.05% Encouraging Fitness activity among all its members whilst practicing social distancing
55.66% Assisted in fundraising for a charity
3.36% Other