Big three link up to submit return roadmap
THE GAA has said it is working together with the FAI and IRFU to submit a roadmap for the safe return of supporters to stadia for Government approval. A further meeting between the three sporting bodies will be held early next week, following the publication of the Government’s new roadmap for living with Covid-19.
A joint statement revealed how this ‘collaborative approach’ is being taken as the GAA plots its way back to a return to collective intercounty training from Monday and the winter All-Ireland series that requires Government funding to make up for an estimated €20 million shortfall.
It is expected that the Government will revert to allowing limited crowds at matches as part of its own roadmap after the contentious decision to put sport behind closed doors. A limit of 200 was previously in place but that included the matchday squads and personnel which effectively halved the number of supporters allowed in for the club championships that have been ongoing all over the country. A Return to Play roadmap for intercounty action is being finalised this weekend which will see dressing rooms made available to the players. A limit is being sought on the level of activity though allowed for and covered by any
expenses with a maximum of three collective sessions to include two training sessions and a game. Match day squads are also expected to be limited to 32 along with 11 backroom team members. Meanwhile, Louth chairman Peter Fitzpatrick has given his thumbs up to the news that a proposed 14,000 seater stadium has been given the go-ahead. Fitzpatrick said the news even made up for the pain of losing the controversial 2010 Leinster final to Meath. ‘The task of finding a new home ground, one that suits our needs and helps us develop, has been going on since 1959,’ Fitzpatrick told RTÉ Sport. ‘This is the best news we have received in 50 or 60 years. I was manager when we lost to Meath in that 2010 Leinster final and yesterday’s news, in my mind, makes up for that defeat and the heartbreak we had that day. ‘It’s been a long time coming and to be honest I never thought we would see it.’ Louth play their big matches at Drogheda’s Gaelic Grounds but have often had to forfeit home advantage due to the limited capacity. ‘As a former Louth manager and footballer, I have travelled with the county all over Ireland and envied the grounds that others had, the likes of Offaly, Sligo, Mayo,’ said Fitzpatrick. ‘We also deserved to have a place we can call home, and this is a step in the right direction.’