Water breaks set to be scrapped this week

The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) is set to officially recommend the removal of water breaks early this week.

The recommendation will come just days before the start of the 2022 Allianz Leagues.

In mid-summer 2020, amid a raft of policy directives to adjust to Covid regulations, the GAA introduced one water break to take place between the 15th and 20th minute in each half of games, at the referee’s discretion.

Players were instructed to come to the area in front of their team zone and drink from their own clearly marked bottle.

But it had been known for some time that use of the breaks would most likely be ended by the GAA once the government significantly eased or lifted Covid-19 restrictions.

And following last Friday’s meeting of the Management Committee and Central Council a day later the clear feedback was to urge the cessation of the breaks.

It will now fall to the CCCC to officially confirm that recommendation, possibly as early as tomorrow.

As games progressed in 2020 and 2021, amid varying fluctuations of the virus spread, water breaks allowed players to consume fluids in a safe manner.

The CCCC confirmed before Christmas that water breaks came under scrutiny with some managers using them more as a coaching cameo.

Some teams also began using more than the recommended one-minute slot.

It’s now extremely likely that the Allianz Leagues will commence without their inclusion.