Shane Stapleton and Phil Lanigan of the Irish Dail Mail react to the news that the GAA has suspended all games.
The GAA have today announced that all club games are to be suspended.
The announcement comes the morning after NPHET recommended that level five restrictions be applied to the entire country.
Since then, the government has resisted calls from NPHET to move to level five, instead opting for level three.
The GAA statement read:
“The GAA’s Management Committee has today endorsed a decision to suspend all GAA Club games at all levels with immediate effect and until further notice.
“The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.
“This directive applies to all ages and all grades across the island.
“Club Social Centres / bars are also to close.
”Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid 19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties.
“The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.
“The Association would also like to acknowledge all of those units who have worked diligently in complying with the public health advice around the staging of our games and training sessions since activity resumed.
“More than ever, we ask that you continue with this approach regarding training sessions.”
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association has made a similar statement since:
“The LGFA’s Management Committee has today endorsed a decision from the GAA’s Management Committee to suspend all LGFA Club games at all levels with immediate effect and until further notice.
“The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.
“This directive applies to all ages and all grades across the island, and also applies to all challenge games at club level.
“Club Social Centres/bars are also to close.
“Consequently, Provincial Club Championship fixtures which had been scheduled for the coming weekend are postponed until further notice. We are exploring alternative dates for these games.
”Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid 19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties.
“The LGFA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in Government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.
“The LGFA would also like to acknowledge all of those units who have worked diligently in complying with the public health advice around the staging of our games and training sessions since activity resumed.
“More than ever, we ask that you continue with this approach where training sessions for your players is continuing.
Marie Hickey Helen O’Rourke
Uachtarán Ard Stiúrthóir”
