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2020 AFL season begins at empty MCG with 4 Irish players to feature this weekend

Richmond beat Carlton as this year’s campaign began in a strange atmosphere at the MCG.

THE 2020 AFL season began in a strange fashion this morning with Richmond Tigers defeating Carlton Blues at the deserted MCG with no fans present due to the Covid-19 crisis.

afl-tigers-blues Carlton's Levi Casboult in action against Richmond's Ivan Soldo.

With most sporting organisations having gone into lockdown, the AFL opening weekend has commenced with no fans set to be present for the games.

The Irish interest in the weekend’s action will see Tipperary’s Colin O’Riordan playing for Sydney Swans against Adelaide Crows on Saturday while Laois player Zach Tuohy and Kerry’s Mark O’Connor will both start for Geelong Cats and GWS Giants.

Tyrone’s Conor McKenna is named amongst the emergencies for Essendon for their clash with Fremantle.

On Sunday, Meath’s Conor Nash will be involved with Hawthorn against Brisbane Lions.

afl-tigers-blues A general view of the game at the MCG.

Today’s match saw Richmond, convincing winners of the 2019 Grand Final last September, triumph 105-81 in a game where the Tigers were ahead by 46 points at half-time and repelled a second-half fightback from the Blues.

afl-tigers-blues Richmond and Carlton set for action in an empty stadium today. AAP / PA Images AAP / PA Images / PA Images

Here’s the full schedule of action with BT Sport televising games every morning.

AFL Round 1 Fixtures

(All start times Irish)

Friday 

  • Western Bulldogs v Collingwood, 8.50am – (Live BT Sport 2)

Saturday

  • Essendon v Fremantle,  2.45am
  • Adelaide Crows v Sydney Swans, 5.35am
  • GWS Giants v Geelong Cats, 8.25am – (Live BT Sport 1)
  • Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide, 8.25am

Sunday

  • North Melbourne v St Kilda, 2.10am
  • Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions, 4.20am
  • West Coast Eagles v Melbourne, 7.20am – (Live BT Sport 1)

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