Kilmore still hoping for football’s return

Kilmore still hoping for football’s return

27 January 2021

KILMORE Rec chairman Conal Bell has told the club’s players not to give up hope of playing this season.

With no sign of grassroots sport making a return in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, sports clubs and players have grown increasingly frustrated, with many resigned to the fact that they are still perhaps several months away from a return to anything even remotely resembling ‘normal service.’ 

The Amateur League saw its 2019/20 season stopped in its tracks almost a year ago due to the spread of the virus and while there was subsequently hope that some limited action could be possible, the prospect dimmed as Covid-19 infection rates soared.

Kilmore’s chairman said he understands why the current restrictions are in place and that safety is of paramount importance, not just for clubs and officials, but to the wider communities which the clubs are very much part of.

“My message would be not give up hope yet,” said Conal. “It is still possible that we can have some sort of season, even if teams play only half of their fixtures, maybe 14 games in a 14-week season. At the moment, that is still possible.”

The club chairman said the long wait without soccer has been difficult for all clubs and their members, with the Kilmore players eager to get out and play again.

“It is difficult when you are trying to loosely prepare for possible start dates and they that doesn’t materialise,” he continued. “There are also financial aspects to consider, even for clubs at our level. We still have grounds and facilities to maintain with no income. It is a struggle.”

Conal also said that if soccer came back in the summer, that would bring its own difficulty for many clubs as the GAA season would be in full swing, impacting on player availability.

“You would be battling for players who play both sports after what has been a very tough year for all the clubs,” he continued.

“The guys are just so keen to get back. When you are used to being involved in football every week and then suddenly it is not there, it’s a tough thing to adapt to. Having said that, we have to keep things in perspective.

A lot of people are going through a lot of worse.”

Conal said that when Kilmore Rec do get back to playing, their one aim will be to gain promotion back to the Amateur League’s top flight.

“That has always been the intention for us,” said Conal. “We have put a top management team of John Young and Phil McDonagh in place with the sole aim of getting back up again.

“We have also brought a goalkeeping coach in and that shows we were really serious about doing well this season. There is a top team there, a strong playing squad too, numbers were looking good.”

Conal added: “We remain positive. Promotion is the aim.”