Covid Restrictions - update Feb 10th

  • Feb 10,2021

LGFA Covid Restrictions - Important Update


 The Gaelic Games Covid Advisory Group met this evening to consider the outcome of ameeting between the three Gaelic Games governing bodies (GAA, Ladies Gaelic FootballAssociation and Camogie Association) and representatives of the Irish Government,including the Minister of State for Sport, which took place earlier this week. The meeting was held to brief the governing bodies on the short-term prospects for a return totraining and playing of our games.

 

The Government representatives clarified that Inter-County Gaelic Games Activity is not covered under the current Level 5 exemptions for elite sports. As such a return to Inter-County training or games is not permitted under the current restrictions. It was also clearthat there will not be any change to this position post March 5th when the restrictionscurrently in place are reviewed.


It is the view of the Gaelic Games Covid Advisory Group that no on field activity will bepermitted,  training or games,­ until Easter at the earliest. In the interim, it is expected thatthe Government will publish an updated "Living with Covid" plan and we expect that thiswill provide clarity on when clubs and counties are likely to be allowed return to trainingand games in 2021. It should also provide clarity on when other off-field club activitiesmay be permitted to resume.

 

It is clear that this extended delay to the planned return of the Inter-County season willhave knock-on effects for both the Inter-County and club games programmes originallyplanned for 2021. As of now the LGFA have made no firm decisions on whatcompetitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised fixture  programme, such decisions will be a factor of how much time is made available to us, both for an Inter-County season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for ameaningful club season.  


While we will begin to look at contingency plans for the MasterFixtures programme, we will not be able to take definitive decisions in this context untilwe have a clear picture of what restrictions we are likely to be operating under at variouspoints in the year ahead.


Rest assured however, that once clarity is provided by Government and Public HealthAuthorities on the likely road ahead for society generally and sport in particular, the LGFAwill follow with its own roadmap and plan for our own activities at both Inter-County andclub level, that will cover whatever time is available to us for the remainder of the year.

 

We know these latest developments will come as a great disappointment to all those whoare anxious to resume their Gaelic Games involvement, be it on or off the field. While weremain in the midst of a deadly pandemic, there is significant cause for optimism thatmuch better days lie ahead. The manner in which we have endured and overcome thusfar, both as individual members and as an Association generally, has been praised by many and is a cause of great pride to us all. With your help we are certain that we willeventually have a fulfilling season at both club and county level in 2021, as we had in 2020.

 

Finally, we would again like to take this opportunity to thank our members, players,coaches, managers and officers at all levels for their patience and understanding of thecurrent situation and for co-operating with all of the restrictions  that have been put inplace. We want to remind you all again that we will prepare a revised Master Fixture Calendar and plan for the remainder of 2021 once a new Government road map forsociety and sport is made available.