How the Covid homecoming painted a false picture to rural GAA clubs

SILVER LINING: Castletownbere’s Andreas O’Sullivan is pursued by Newmarket’s Micheal Cotrell in a recent Cork Premier IFC game. During the lockdown, Castletownbere saw the benefits of people working remotely but their third-level students being able to complete their courses from the comfort of their family homes. Picture: Denis Boyle

The “stay at home” safety mantra is not something most of us will want to see again anytime soon but for rural clubs it had a silver lining.

It signalled a homecoming. When club training resumed in June last year and again this past May, numbers were bolstered. Sessions became more meaningful. Team bonds grew stronger.