The GAA released the following statement this afternoon;
Covid-19 Update
The GAA notes and welcomes the plans published by the government last
Friday and some of the dates included relating to the possible return of
sporting activity, including Gaelic games.
The Association will attempt to 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.
GAA facilities are to remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings
which breach the restrictions.
We are instructing our clubs and counties to continue to adhere to the
restrictions and to refrain from organising on-field activity. These measures
are expected to remain in place until July 20.
We will continue to monitor the dates and timelines as revealed by the
Government and our arrangements will remain under constant review.
Our units 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. We can confirm however
that no inter-county games are expected to take place before October.
Counties are asked, in the interest of players, to suspend all inter-county
training 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.
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 Mc Gill (Director of Player, Club and Games Administration)
The outcome of this group’s work will be a graduated approach, informed and
guided by the recently published Government Roadmap and by Government
policy from Stormont.
Our units have played an important role in the community effort against the
pandemic and we thank all of our members for their role in this to date.
We also underline the importance of continuing to adhere to the guidelines to
ensure that the country as a whole meets its targets in the coming weeks
allowing us to make progress and facilitate a return to games when it is safe to
do so.
