GAA club and county fixtures update

There is a possibility of some GAA club activity after 20th July but inter-county games are on hold until October according to a statement issued by Croke Park this evening.

The Association will seek clarity around some of the issues that have arisen in internal discussions since last Friday including the challenge of social distancing in contact sport.

In the interest of players, all inter-county training should be suspended until further notice.

There will be a phased resumption of training at both club and county level to allow players to prepare appropriately for playing games.

GAA facilities will remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings which breach the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Clubs and counties should continue to adhere to the restrictions and to refrain from organising on-field activity with these measures expected to remain in place until Monday 20th July.

The GAA will continue to monitor the dates and timelines as revealed by the Government.

Members are reminded that the Player Injury scheme is suspended and will remain so until an official return to action protocol is confirmed.

The GAA still firmly hopes to be able to play county and club competitions this year, subject of course to public health guidance, but no inter-county games are expected to take place before October.

While not categorically ruling out the possible staging of games behind closed doors later in the year, there appears to be a lack of appetite for this type of fixture-scheduling at the current time across the wider Association.

The GAA can also confirm the appointment of a dedicated Covid-19 Advisory Group which will advise the Association on matters relating to return to play protocols and other similar issues.

The members of this group are as follows:

Shay Bannon (Chairman) - existing Chairman of Health and Safety group

Dick Clerkin (existing Chairman of Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)

Dr Pat O’Neill (Dublin)

Dr Kevin Moran (Donegal)

Dr Jim O’Donovan (Limerick)

Dr Seán Moffatt (Chair of Gaelic Medical Association and Mayo team doctor)

Paul Flynn (CEO Gaelic Players Association)

Stephen Mc Geehan (Head of Operations, Ulster GAA)

Tony Mc Guinness (Events and Safety Manager, Croke Park)

Sinéad McNulty (CEO An Cumann Camógaíochta)

Helen O’Rourke (CEO Ladies Gaelic Football Association)

John Horan (Uachtarán CLG)

Tom Ryan (Ard Stiúrthóir CLG)

Feargal McGill (Director of Player, Club and Games Administration)