A laudable enterprise but execution will be key - and there is no silver bullet

The sentiment behind the initiative of introducing bumper trials for the Irish point-to-point industry is beyond reproach as it is vital efforts are made to promote trade after this untimely period of stasis, but the key to its success will be in its execution.

Various issues could undermine the objective, so planning and communication will be vital. Firstly, it is paramount the timing, or at least a tangible timeframe, is promptly established.

The IHRB indicated it would look to make the trials happen “shortly after” the government restrictions on sports events have been lifted. Those measures will not be eased until at least the start of next month, and most point-to-pointers have already been roughed off.