THE GAA HAVE confirmed that no on-field activity will be permitted, including at inter-county level, until Easter after the publishing of yesterday’s latest Government Covid-19 plan.
The association have stated that it ‘remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021′ and insist no decision has been made on what competitions will or will not take place this year despite recent speculation that the league may be scrapped.
In a letter released today by GAA President John Horan and Director-General Tom Ryan, the latest state of play for the organisation has been outlined.
They state that will ‘be seeking clarity on certain aspects’ related to sport in the new document but are confident that inter-county games will return at Level 4 and some club games in Level 3.
The revised fixtures plan for the year is intended to be published ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’ and believe the next developments will be made clear in the week leading up to Easter.
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GAA Director-General Tom Ryan and President John Horan. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
The update in full reads:
“As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government yesterday published their “Covid 19: Resilience and Recovery 2021” plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted – even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.
“We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these Levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for Counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.
Still unclear when action will return to Croke Park. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
“In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.
“The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with Counties and Clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.
“We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised National Fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.
“We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.”
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No GAA 'on-field activity' until Easter at earliest and 'impossible' now to plan revised 2021 fixtures calendar
THE GAA HAVE confirmed that no on-field activity will be permitted, including at inter-county level, until Easter after the publishing of yesterday’s latest Government Covid-19 plan.
The association have stated that it ‘remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021′ and insist no decision has been made on what competitions will or will not take place this year despite recent speculation that the league may be scrapped.
In a letter released today by GAA President John Horan and Director-General Tom Ryan, the latest state of play for the organisation has been outlined.
They state that will ‘be seeking clarity on certain aspects’ related to sport in the new document but are confident that inter-county games will return at Level 4 and some club games in Level 3.
The revised fixtures plan for the year is intended to be published ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’ and believe the next developments will be made clear in the week leading up to Easter.
The update in full reads:
“As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government yesterday published their “Covid 19: Resilience and Recovery 2021” plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted – even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.
“We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these Levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for Counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.
“In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.
“The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with Counties and Clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.
“We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised National Fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.
“We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.”
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Covid-19 Croke Park GAA John Horan Tom Ryan Update