LAST UPDATE | 5 Oct 2020
TODAY’S GAA ANNOUNCEMENT to suspend club games has a major impact on some counties with seven senior finals across football and hurling due to take place next weekend.
The ladies football fixtures programme has also been disrupted with provincial finals planned next weekend, after the Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] followed suit with a statement of its own.
The Camogie Association is yet to suspend games, though it’s expected a similar decision may follow as all three associations have followed the same pathway and protocols through the Covid-19 crisis.
A statement from the Camogie Association, shared by Wexford camogie this evening, reads:
“Further to statements issued by the GAA and LGFA this afternoon, the Camogie Association are considering the current situation and will hold and Ard Chomhairle meeting tonight to consider the latest public health guidance and recommendations.
“A meeting was held earlier today at which further information was sought before any decisions are made. We will update units in due course after tonight’s Ard Chomhairle meeting.”
Statement from @OfficialCamogie in relation to #COVID19 #wexford #camogie pic.twitter.com/U8OconI0du
— Official Wexford Camogie (@wexfordcamogie) October 5, 2020
So now, what are the main games that have been postponed after today’s announcements?
GAA
Three county senior deciders were scheduled for next Saturday – Kildare and Laois hurling along with Waterford football – while on Sunday there were finals planned in the Cork and Donegal football championships along with Offaly and Meath hurling.
The senior football semi-finals in Carlow and Laois still have to be played while more immediately tomorrow night it had been planned to play the Longford senior football semi-finals with Killoe taking on Mostrim and Longford Slashers playing Mullinalaghta St Columba’s. Both were set to throw-in at 8pm in a championship that has been delayed as Killoe successfully fought and overturned a 48-week club ban.
Senior action has been wrapped up in most counties across the country, but several championships which were delayed due to regional lockdowns and postponements after Covid-19 cases, were yet to be completed.
Donegal, Waterford, Cork (football) and Kildare, Laois, Meath and Offaly (hurling) are among the other counties affected, with plans for deciders scuppered after today’s announcement.
The county senior final fixtures planned for next weekend were:
Saturday 10 October
- Waterford football: Rathgormack v Ballinacourty, 3pm.
- Kildare hurling: Confey v Naas, 4.30pm.
- Laois hurling: Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton v Clough/Ballacolla, 5pm.
Sunday 11 October
- Donegal football: Kilcar v Naomh Conaill, 3pm.
- Meath hurling: Ratoath v Trim, 3pm.
- Cork football: Nemo Rangers v Castlehaven, 4pm.
- Offaly hurling: Kilcormac-Killoughey v St Rynagh’s, 4pm.
Ladies football
With most ladies football club matters wrapped up in counties across the country, provincial championships were underway — with one exception. The Ulster club championship had been previously postponed due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the province.
The Leinster senior final between Dublin’s Foxrock-Cabinteely and Portlaoise, which was slated in for Sunday, is now off as is the Connacht senior championship final where Galway kingpins and 2019 All-Ireland finalists Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Sligo’s St Nathy’s were set to do battle in Dr Hyde Park on Saturday.
In Munster, the senior championship was the semi-final stage, with the meeting of Cahir and All-Ireland champions Mourneabbey scheduled for Sunday in Mallow. Waterford’s Ballymacarbry and Rathmore of Kerry were due to do battle at the same venue on Saturday morning.
Intermediate and junior championships were at varying different stages across the provinces before today’s announcement, and the provisional plan was for a 2020 All-Ireland Club series in early 2021.
Saturday
- Connacht senior football final: Kilkerrin-Clonberne v St Nathy’s, 4pm.
- Munster senior football semi-final: Ballymacarbry v Rathmore, 11.45am.
Sunday
- Leinster senior football final: Foxrock-Cabinteely v Portlaoise.
- Munster senior football semi-final: Mourneabbey v Cahir, 4.30pm.
Camogie
Likewise, the majority of camogie club matters had come to a close within counties and we were onto the provincial stages. Ahead of the weekend, Ulster camogie council postponed all its club fixtures, again, due to the Covid-19 crisis. But semi-finals at all three grades ensued in Munster, and the senior decider between Tipperary’s Drom & Inch and Clare’s Inagh/Kilnamona is set for this Sunday.
The Leinster championship is due to take place in the new year, and Connacht’s plans before today’s announcement was unclear.
Likewise, the All-Ireland series is pencilled in for early 2021 with the senior showpiece down for decision on the weekend of 6/7 March.
Sunday
- Munster senior camogie final: Drom & Inch v Inagh/Kilnamona — TBC.
- Reporting from Fintan O’Toole and Emma Duffy.
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