GAA to seek clarification from Government before plotting out 2021 schedule

The GAA is to seek clarity from the Government before redrawing its fixture schedule for 2021.

There was no change to the sporting landscape following the publication of the Government’s latest Covid-19 plan last night, with Level 5 restrictions remaining in place until April 5, meaning that, for the GAA, no training or games can take place until after Easter at the earliest.

Inter-county games are provided for at Level 4 and club games at Level 3 but with no indication as to when restrictions might be relaxed to that extent, the GAA will be making contact with the Government to try and get a clearer picture as to what the weeks and months ahead may hold.

A letter from director general Tom Ryan and president John Horan to county boards explained: "We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these levels may kick in."

It continued: "In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021.

"Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels."

The insistence that the GAA has not decided anything in relation to the 2021 fixture programme is somewhat at odds with comments made by Horan when speaking on RTE’s Today with Claire Byrne show earlier today, when he expressed confidence that “the games programme will be able to do National League, a full club programme and inter-county Championships” despite the prospect of losing the first four months of the year.

The letter concluded: "We will again communicate directly with counties and clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.

"We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised national fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.”