GAA fixtures postponed in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly amid local lockdown

Confusingly, “inter-county training (max. 15 people) and fixtures may continue behind closed doors”. The GAA has already ordered that there be no inter-county training until September 14.

All three boards have stated this weekend’s matches will not take place. In Kildare, four senior hurling championship matches were set to be played, as well as four senior football fixtures in Offaly, while a series of football championship matches were down for decision in Laois.

The joint press release by the three organisations stated: “This suspension on activities covers all collective training, matches, in-person meetings and camps. GAA grounds and facilities in the affected counties should remain closed until further notice.

“The position will be reviewed by our Gaelic games Covid-19 advisory group next Monday, after which further advice will be issued to clubs in the affected counties.” 

With the lockdown due to last at least two weeks, the three Leinster counties could face difficulty in concluding their championships. The Kildare senior hurling and football finals are scheduled for September 26/27 and October 3/4 respectively, the Laois senior deciders are September 26/27 (football) and October 3/4 (hurling), and Offaly have the tighter timeframe with football and hurling finals organised for September 20 and 27 respectively.

There remains the possibility the counties could push the latter stages of their championships, if not their finals, back to October - the exclusive window for club fixtures ends on October 11. Laois have previously floated the idea of delaying their senior football final until after the county team exits the straight knock-out All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Racing is still permitted to take place behind closed doors. There are meetings in The Curragh on Sunday and next Friday.

- Updated at 9.05pm with joint-statement.