THE GAA HAS this afternoon announced the suspension of all sporting activities for its member organisations until 29 March.

The decision has been taken “in line with the Government announcement on Covid-19.” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has revealed a number of measures which will take effect from 6pm today. This includes the cancellation of mass gatherings of over 100 (indoor) and 500 (outdoor).

This morning, Dublin and Antrim were among a host of GAA county boards to announce cancellation of club games and training until after 29 March. And the governing body has since issued an island-wide directive in a bid to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

“(The GAA) have decided to suspend all activity at club, inter-county and educational levels  until March 29  (inclusive) from midnight,” a statement said today.

This is to include all games, training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades.”

Earlier today the O’Connor Cup and Giles Cup, third-level Ladies football competitions, were cancelled due to a “higher than average” number of confirmed coronavirus in the regions of the competing colleges.

The competitions were due to take place this weekend, with semi-finals pencilled in for Friday ahead of Saturday’s final, but it has since been confirmed that all third-level championships have been cancelled.

A statement issued by the LGFA on behalf of Ladies HEC chairperson Donal Barry reads:

“In line with the Government announcement on Covid 19, the Higher Education Committee is cancelling the 2020 O’Connor Cup Championships in Kerry, effective immediately.

“We understand that this decision will result in disappointment, especially amongst players and their backroom teams, especially when we are so close to concluding our championships but this is the right thing to do.

Our responsibility now is to ensure that we look after each other, our families and friends and that we all return to the playing fields when the time is right to do so.”

The following GAA fixtures over the coming days have been shelved:

Sunday

Allianz Football League

Division 1
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 7pm

Division 2
Armagh v Roscommon, Athletic Grounds, 6.30pm

Division 3
Down v Leitrim, Newry, 7pm

Division 4
Waterford v London, Fraher Field, Dungarvan, 5pm
Carlow v Sligo, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm

Allianz Hurling League

Division 1 quarter-final
Wexford v Galway, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 3pm

Division 2B final
Down v Derry, Davitt Park, Belfast, 2pm

Sunday

Allianz Football League 

Division 1
Galway v Mayo, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Monaghan v Kerry, Inniskeen, 2pm
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 3.15pm

Division 2
Clare v Fermanagh, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2pm
Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 2pm
Kildare v Cavan, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 2pm

Division 3
Cork v Louth, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2pm
Derry v Longford, Celtic Park, 2pm
Tipperary v Offaly, Semple Stadium, 2pm

Division 4
Wicklow v Antrim, Aughrim, 2pm
Limerick v Wexford, Rathkeale, 2pm

Allianz Hurling League 

Division 1 league quarter-final
Kilkenny v Waterford, UPMC Nowlan Park 2pm

Division 2A final
Antrim v Kerry, Croke Park, 1pm

Division 3B final
Sligo v Leitrim, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

Monday

All-Ireland Senior A Hurling Croke Cup semi-finals
Coláiste Eoin Stillorgan v Presentation College Athenry, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 1pm
St Raphael’s College Loughrea v St Flannan’s College Ennis, Gort, 2.30pm

Tuesday 

All-Ireland U20FC semi-finals
Galway v Kerry, Croke Park, 2pm
Dublin v Tyrone, Croke Park, 3.45pm

-Additional reporting by Kevin O’Brien

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