All GAA suspended until at least Easter as elite status no longer applies to inter-county

ALL GAA remains on hold until at least April.

The hope was inter-county squads would be given the all-clear to resume training by March with a view to starting the league the following month. That glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the GAA faithful is now gone after the Association released an update on the sporting lockdown.

The plan for 2021 was to complete the inter-county season before the club championships but that could now be revised if the GAA look to accommodate supporters, even in reduced numbers, at matches and offset their heavy losses from last year.

For players, coaches and committee members at all levels there's just more frustration as Covid-19 keeps a firm lid on any sporting activity. 

Adult GAA, aside from inter-county, has been on hold since October while underage GAA, which was only permitted in a non-contact training environment from that point, ceased late in December.  Both the fitness and social elements of Gaelic games are being sorely missed by all.

Inter-county GAA was deemed elite when restrictions were ramped up previously, which meant the majority of competitions were completed before Christmas, aside from minor hurling and football and U20 hurling, where Cork are due to face Galway or Dublin in the All-Ireland final.

That status does not allow this time, despite League of Ireland soccer clubs recommencing training. 

The full statement explained:

"A chara, The GAA's Covid Advisory Group met this evening to consider the outcome of a meeting between the three Gaelic Games governing bodies (GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association) and representatives of the lrish 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 to training 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 clear that there will not be any change to this position post-March 5 when the restrictions currently in place are reviewed. 

It is the view of the GAA's Covid Advisory group that no on-field activity will be permitted - training or games - until Easter at the earliest.

"It should also provide clarity on when other off-field club activities may be permitted to resume. It is clear that this extended delay to the planned return of the inter-county season will have knock-on effects for both the inter-county and club games programmes originally planned for 2021.

"As of now the GAA have made no firm decisions on what competitions 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 a meaningful club season.

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

"Rest assured however, that once clarity is provided by Government and Public Health Authorities on the likely road ahead for society generally and sport in particular, the GAA will follow with its own roadmap and plan for our own activities at both inter-county and club level, that will cover whatever time is available to us for the remainder of the year.

DISAPPOINTMENT

"We know these latest developments will come as a great disappointment to all those who are anxious to resume their Gaelic Games involvement, be it on or off the field. While we remain in the midst of a deadly pandemic, there is significant cause for optimism that much better days lie ahead.

"The manner in which we have endured and overcome thus far, 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 will eventually have a fulfilling season at both club and county level in 2021, just 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 the current situation and for co-operating with all of the restrictions that have been put in place.

"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 for society and sport is made available."