GAA suspends all club fixtures

The GAA have suspended all club games at any level with immediate effect as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This announcement comes after NPHET’s recommendations to impose Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions across the country, which were today rejected by the Government in favour of Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions alongside improved enforcement.

This has left huge uncertainty about the future of the 2020 inter-county championships, whilst a number of counties have yet to finish their own club hurling and football championship campaigns.

As things stand, the inter-county season is still scheduled to resume from 17 October, although this could easily change in the near future.

Despite the postponement of all matches, training will be allowed to continue, provided all participants adhere to all relevant public health guidelines. Bars and social clubs are also to be closed.

The decision follows a week-end filled with social media posts concerning a lack of social distancing at numerous GAA events, including photos of large groups of fans sitting in close proximity.

The GAA said in a statement: “the decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.”

“The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days.”

The GAA

The association have also promised to “continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.”

This news comes on the heels of South Dublin club Cuala retaining their Dublin Senior Hurling Championship title, and Ballymun Kickhams claiming their fourth Dublin Senior Football Championship title.

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] has issued a similar statement of its own after the GAA’s original announcement, lending its support to the decision made by the GAA’s Management Committee to put all Ladies’ GAA Club games to a stop.

Whilst the Camogie Association have yet to suspend activity, it is expected to make a similar decision in the near future as all three associations have previously taken the same actions throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Any potential resumption of inter-county games will almost certainly be taking place behind closed doors, which would be a huge hit to clubs nationwide.

If the country does enter into Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions at any point in the future, there would be no training or games allowed to take place.

See the full statement here.