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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Competitive sport in Northern Ireland set to return on July 17

Competitive sport in Northern Ireland is set to return next month.

The NI Executive has announced limited numbers of outdoor spectators will be allowed to attend games from July 17.

Those numbers are expected to increase two weeks later.

All competitive sport in Northern Ireland has been suspended since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is hoped a more comprehensive plan will be published on Monday.

As well as outdoor events getting the green light, elite athletes will also be able to resume indoor training from Monday,  June 29.

That includes professional football and rugby players, Olympians, Paralympians and cricketers.

And in an added boost to the fitness sector, it is hoped that indoor gyms can reopen from July 10, providing the coronavirus remains under control.

Leisure centres will also be able to reopen from August 7.

A number of sports have already earmarked dates for return, including Ulster Rugby who will resume their PRO14 campaign in August behind closed doors.

Football's Irish Cup is also scheduled to take place at the end of July with the semi-finals and final due to be played behind closed doors at Windsor Park.

The Premiership season was "curtailed immediately" on Tuesday, with a mathematical model to be used to determine the final league standings.

Meanwhile, the GAA is set to resume with club championships before inter-county football begins from October.

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