Irish Cup gets nod but uncertainty still remains
THE NI Executive has opened the door for some outdoor sport to resume, including Irish Cup matches, however there may still be further disruption to this season’s tournament.
In an easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, Stormont ministers explained that sports training for clubs affiliated with recognised governing bodies will be allowed to resume in groups of up to 15 people from April 12.
With Irish Cup Round of 32 ties scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, it offers non-elite teams limited time to train or build match fitness by playing friendly games against other sides in the tournament, which the Irish FA maintain has elite status.
Five Championship teams — Queen’s University, Newry City, H&W Welders, Institute and Ards — have already withdrawn from the competition, highlighting a lack of training and Covid-19 testing. The Irish FA will provide testing for the matches but the lack of training time remains a concern for Championship and Intermediate clubs who have not played league football for a year.
A Department of Communities spokesperson said: “The announcement permits outdoor sporting activity to commence on April 12 for groups of up to 15 from an affiliated sports club taking part in training that fully complies with the appropriate governing bodies protocols.
“It does not include any competitive sporting fixtures or events taking place outside of the elite sporting competitions.”
Northern Ireland’s matches against USA and Bulgaria this month will go ahead without supporters.
From April 1, 10 people, from no more than two households, can participate in outdoor sporting activities and golf courses will reopen, though clubhouses are to remain closed along with other sports facilities such as changing rooms, showers, kitchens and meeting rooms.
The Executive gave the green light for Northern Ireland’s fixtures this month to proceed — the World Cup qualifiers in Italy on Thursday, March 25 and at home to Bulgaria on March 31, along with the Windsor Park friendly against USA on March 28, with no fans allowed at sporting events.
The news that outdoor sporting facilities such as golf courses and tennis courts can open from April 1 is positive news, but the 15 remaining non-premiership sides in the Irish Cup will now decide whether to remain in the competition.
After the Northern Ireland Football League expressed concern regarding Irish Cup dates in May, the first round is expected to be brought forward from Saturday, May 1 to Tuesday, April 27.
The top-flight sides are determined to play all 38 fixtures in this season’s Irish Premiership and preferred the Cup to start in April, but NIFL’S Championship Committee and Ballinamallard United warned that clubs needed time to prepare for Cup matches.
The last-16 games remain on Saturday, May 8, followed by the quarter-finals on Tuesday, May 11. The semi-finals will take place on May 18 with the final set for Friday, May 21.
Ulster Rugby stated: “Ulster Rugby, together with the IRFU, welcome today’s update on the Executive’s Pathway out of Covid-19 restrictions, which gave an indicative date of April 12 for outdoor training to resume for NI sports clubs affiliated with recognised governing bodies in small groups of up to 15 people.
“This change will allow for rugby clubs in Northern Ireland to begin planning for a safe and measured return to rugby from a potential date of April 12.”