PLANNING for the club season in Tyrone has been halted as a result of the GAA’s decision to delay the start of inter-county activity.
Officials have been working on a structure for league and championship competitions on the assumption that the campaign would take place in the latter part of the year.
With inter-county action scheduled to take up the first segment of a split season, clubs had been focusing their preparations on a late summer start to the domestic championships.
However, there are indications that the order of play may be reversed as Croke Park chiefs continue to assess the implications of the loss of elite status for inter-county gaelic games.
The Tyrone Competitions Control Committee (CCC) has revealed that the uncertainty is now preventing it from drawing up a fixtures calendar for 2021.
A spokesperson said the GAA’s announcement had created a level of uncertainty which has hampered the process of devising a fixtures plan.
“In light of (Wednesday) evening’s announcement, relating to the removal of senior inter-county teams from the ‘Elite Sport’ category, there is now further uncertainty regarding the make-up of the GAA’s fixture calendar for the 2021 season,” said the Tyrone CCC in a statement.
“The initially suggested timelines have now moved twice since January 1ast at inter-county level, as the Island struggles with the global pandemic.
“This uncertainty does not help the CCC in terms of putting together a club fixture plan for the season ahead.
“The reality is that the Tyrone CCC cannot make any assumptions at this stage as to when there may be club activity, or what shape that might take when we are given the green light to proceed.
“We intend to keep everyone informed when further updates are received from Croke Park in the coming months.
“In the meantime, we thank you for your ongoing patience and co-operation.”
A split season model proved a major success last season as the GAA excelled in its response on many fronts to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the club campaign going first, the Tyrone Championship once more lived up to its reputation as the most exciting in Ulster.
A series of thrilling ties, many of which went to extra-time and penalties, including the final, saw outsiders Dungannon Clarkes claim the title for the first time in 64 years.
That high summer experience could be repeated this year, but in the meantime, fixture planners are powerless until they receive direction from Croke Park.
Earlier this week, Tyrone county chairman Michael Kerr called on the GAA to flip the split season and put the clubs first in the event of gaelic games activity being delayed beyond the end of April
