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New format for Ladies Football Championship, if it goes ahead

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association are the latest sporting body to recognise the government's...



New format for Ladies Football...
Football

New format for Ladies Football Championship, if it goes ahead

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association are the latest sporting body to recognise the government's Roadmap For Reopening Society and Business. 

They say that this year's TG4 All Ireland Ladies Football Championship will not take place in its current format.

All gaelic games activities in the country are suspended as a result of the pandemic, and the LGFA chief executive Helen O'Rourke was this week named in the GAA's COVID-19 Advisory Group.

Under the Roadmap's guidelines, team sports will only be allowed to resume on July 20, and behind closed doors.

And LGFA statement says: "Ladies Gaelic Football Association has noted and studied the publication of the Road Map for reopening the country, issued by the Government last Friday (May 1).

"The LGFA will continue to engage and work closely with the relevant authorities and the GAA in relation to all matters.

"The LGFA has at all times adhered to the safety guidelines issued by the Government and health authorities, and will continue to do so."

The GAA have warned that until more is known about a testing process for it's players, then they won't put a time frame on their return.

Galway footballer Tracey Leonard has been working on the frontline at University Hospital Galway's testing centre.

She told Off The Ball that the prospect of returning is "a bit risky".

Leonard added, "I think it would be quite a big ask, putting that to governments, having every player tested.

"That would need to be for every game which - between men's women's - would be a lot of games in the run of the year.

"I don't know if it's really feasible, and for the sake of one year."

Over the coming weekend, the LGFA say they will be "consulting with county team captains, managers, referees, club and county executives, through surveys, to gather their views as we work through our current circumstances."

CEO O'Rourke added, "I thank all of our members for their ongoing and continued support in these challenging times, and I compliment them for the tremendous work they are carrying out within their local communities.

"I urge all of you to continue to adhere to the current guidelines in place – and stay safe.

"While we must plan for the future, the health and safety of our members is our main priority at the present time."

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Coronavirus Covid-19 Ladies Gaelic Lgfa TG4 All Ireland Ladies Football Championship