Sports Year in Review 2020: May

By Hayden Moore

THERE was a glimmer of hope and reprieve from the COVID-19 pandemic for various different sports in May as the government published their five-phase roadmap for the reopening of society and business.

Although there was no handling the flagstick, raking of bunkers, four-balls or customary handshakes, golf swung back into action for the first time in almost two months.

Coinciding with the phased reopening, organisations such as the FAI, GAA, Baseball Ireland, Tennis Ireland and Basketball Ireland moved to outline a roadmap for their restart of organised games and activity.

Golfers across the country were allowed to make a return to limited play at their local clubs subject to HSE guidelines (Pic: Lucan Golf Club)

Glenanne Hockey Club secured a massive coup with the appointment of Ireland Senior international Shane O’Donoghue as Director of Hockey and Head Coach of their Men’s senior team on a two-year term.

The 2020 All-Female Esker Box Cup, which attracts hundreds of competitors from all over Europe, had to be cancelled due to Covid.

Esker Boxing Club members pictured at the annual All-Female Esker Box Cup in 2019, which attracted no less than 430 boxers from 18 countries. The 2020 event had to be cancelled following Covid-19 concerns.

It was revealed that Shamrock Rovers were set to play in a four-team tournament that would serve as the pilot scheme to model a safe return for all football following on from the postponement of 44 games caused by the pandemic.

Players involved would undergo weekly COVID-19 testing from May 26 to get ready for the restoration of collective team training on June 8, and games in July.

South Dublin Taekwondo, which usually hold one of its colour belt gradings every Spring and Autumn, decided to complete the former virtually with 41 members proving successful.

For a full look back at May visit The Echo’s website HERE, where all editions from 2020 are free to read online until January 31.