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GAA says inter-county Championships remain "under consideration"

The GAA has asked counties to double-down in their efforts to suppress COVID-19.  They also say ...



GAA says inter-county Champion...
Hurling

GAA says inter-county Championships remain "under consideration"

The GAA has asked counties to double-down in their efforts to suppress COVID-19. 

They also say the county championships - due to begin in October - remain "under consideration".

The GAA reacted angrily to the Government's renewed restrictions around sporting events.

In a brief, but terse statement from Croke Park on Tuesday night, they name-checked Ronan Glynn three times as they sought an urgent meeting with the Acting Chief Medical Officer.

In a calmer manner on Thursday evening, they said they look forward to positive engagement with NPHET.

Until September 13, all games must be played behind closed doors.

Clubs are restricted to 40 individuals each for club championship matches, which includes players and backroom staff.

Outdoor training is also limited to groups of fifteen.

The likes of Westmeath chairman Billy Foley have complained of the financial cost of staging games with no supporters.

To that end, the GAA's Director General Tom Ryan informed the chairpersons "of intentions to make centrally sourced borrowings available to county committees at the earliest opportunity to assist in the running of their activities before Government funding is made available".

Perhaps crucially, they say the appetite and optimism to stage the inter-county championships remain in place, and that they're "under consideration".

GAA statement: 

At a virtual meeting of GAA county chairpersons today, hosted on-line by the Uachtarán and Ard Stiúrthóir, counties were asked to double down on efforts to help the Association to play its part in the ongoing fight against the Covid pandemic and in light of recent challenges nationally. 

Clubs are asked to adhere to the guidelines issued yesterday until such a time as further advice is made available from government. 

The Ard Stiúrthóir also informed county chairpersons of intentions to make centrally sourced borrowings available to county committees at the earliest opportunity to assist in the running of their activities before Government funding is made available. 

The GAA can also confirm that pending updated public health advice, and in light of an increased optimism and appetite for inter-county games, plans to stage championships in the coming months remain under consideration. 

The Uachtarán asked all players and members ahead of this weekend’s planned activity to adhere strictly to the government guidelines in the interest of public health, and efforts made up to this point are acknowledged. 

The Ard Stiúrthóir and Uachtarán were also encouraged by county chairpersons to ascertain from NPHET the shortcomings in the wider sporting community that exist so that, if necessary, the GAA can review its arrangements and enable the Association to continue to play its part in the wider community effort to thwart the virus. 

The GAA looks forward to positive engagement with NPHET.

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Coronavirus Covid-19 Croke Park GAA NPHET Ronan Glynn Tom Ryan