No Inter-County Championship until October at the earliest
By Shane Brophy
The senior inter-county hurling and football championships won't take place before October the GAA has confirmed.
A teleconference took place today between all county chairpersons with Croke Park officials which outlined the associations plans to return to action which included the suspension of all inter-county training.
In a statement, the GAA said it "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 will also attempt to seek clarity around some of the issues that have arisen in internal discussions including the challenge of social distancing in contact sport. As a result, GAA facilities are to remain closed as part of efforts to prevent gatherings which breach the restrictions, which means no small group training can resume on May 18th, despite being included in the phase 1 opening.
The GAA are also instructing clubs and counties to continue to adhere to the restrictions and to refrain from organising on-field activity and these measures are expected to remain in place until July 20.
In a statement, the GAA "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 also confirmed 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 Irish Government Roadmap and by Government policy from Stormont.