The GAA hope it will be possible to stage matches in 2020, despite the admission that inter-county activity won't take place until July at the earliest.
The coronavirus pandemic could result in the cancellation of all domestic sport for the remainder of the year, on the basis that social distancing guidelines must be observed.
GAA Director of Communications Alan Milton told Off the Ball's John Duggan that the Association is optimistic some sort of Championship will take place between now and the end of the year. The worst case scenario of no All-Ireland finals in 2020 is a bridge the GAA is not hoping to cross.
"It's a scenario we seriously hope we don't have to contemplate, but we are readying ourselves and looking at all the possible options as to how we might deal with that situation if it's one that lands on our doorstep," said Milton on Newstalk Breakfast.
"It's fingers crossed, we would be hopeful that things would improve to allow some sort of activity to happen in the second half of 2020."
Minister for Health Simon Harris said this week that social distancing would be a 'part of life' until a vaccine or effective treatment is found.
For the GAA, even if matches took place without crowds, there are questions around social distancing in relation to players' physical contact, the use of dressing rooms and the interaction with physios and backroom staff before players return to their communities.
Milton believes a workable solution may be achievable.
"We haven't had any concrete advice from the HSE or the Department as of yet and from day one it's what we have based all our actions on. I think this poses questions for society as a whole and not just the GAA.
"I definitely think the scenarios you have outlined there are quite stark. Having said that, I take solace from some of the examples we see around Europe. I know Bayern Munich about 10 days ago returned to training in groups of six and eight. I think eventually when we do get the green light to resume action, firstly it will come at club level, it will come at training and it will probably come in clusters of small groupings.
"The next question thereafter is how mass gatherings would be facilitated and whether or not terracing would be a runner, whether we would have to use stands or people who might be seated in different areas and spaced apart. We don't really know what the ask of us is going to be.
"Whatever circumstances are that are handed down to us and whatever the advice is from the medical professionals, you can be rest assured we will be working with them and will be working towards a scenario where will be able to hold competitions later on this year at the earliest opportunity possible."
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