GAA inter-county championships postponed

*Podge Collins and Bill Cooper in action. Photograph: Martin Connolly

Inter-county championship GAA action will not take place “before the beginning of July at the earliest”.

Clare were due to commence their senior campaigns in May, the hurlers starting off away to All-Ireland champions, Tipperary on May 17th and the footballers facing Tipp a week earlier in Semple Stadium on May 9th.

On Tuesday evening, the GAA confirmed that the senior inter-county championships were to be postponed “until further clarity” on COVID-19 is available. “It is the Association’s view that it is highly unlikely these will be rescheduled any time before the beginning of July, at the earliest”.

Club and county games will be accommodated when sporting activity resumes, the statement from Croke Park outlined. The association plans to complete the Allianz League “or at least those games that have a bearing on next year’s divisions, where possible”.

For the first time a remote Special Congress will be held by the GAA on Friday. Proposals on decision-making flexibility to allow competition structures be varied in advance of resuming games will be discussed.

“In keeping with the approach of the Association since the start of this crisis, all of our decisions will be based on the advice of the medical professionals and the government,” a spokesperson added. “The GAA would again like to thank our members and units for their support at this time and for continuing to adhere to the government guidelines”.