Full panels are to be allowed at next month's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-finals and each of the Championship finals, it has been confirmed.
Under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, only those on the 26-player matchday squads were allowed into stadiums along with 12 members of the management and backroom team for counties.
But from Tuesday, those on extended panels will also be able to attend matches, meaning counties will be able to have more players and backroom staff at games.
Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers tweeted today: "Glad to confirm that full panels will be permitted to attend on match days when Ireland moves to Level 3 from tomorrow."
The decision will come as a huge boost to teams ahead of this weekend's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-finals, which see Dublin face Cavan on Saturday and Mayo clash with Tipperary on Sunday.
It comes after Waterford manager Liam Cahill pleaded with the government to allow extended panel and backroom team members to be allowed attend their final clash with Limerick.
He said: “The only thing I would demand is that the extended panel and the rest of the backroom team should be let in. Which is what, 10 or 15 people max, for each squad?
“That would be a massive plus if that was allowed. But no, I don’t foresee crowds, no. I don’t think it would be right either.”
