LOCAL GAA clubs are gearing up for a return to action.
After a three-month lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, clubs can look forward to a resumption of gaelic games.
That’s good news for players and spectators, who have been starved of action.
The clubs were able to unlock their gates for the first time this week.
From Monday they were allowed to open their grounds for small groups of people to use walkways.
Non-contact training for club teams will begin on June 29, initially in groups of no more than ten players with two coaches.
Full-contact training can take place from July 20, with underage games commencing on the same date. Adult club games can begin on July 31.
Inter-county competition is scheduled to start on October 17 with training likely to begin in September. That means the likelihood of All-Ireland championships running into 2021.
The schedule is set out on the GAA’s Safe Return to Gaelic Games road map which was announced last Friday.
Down GAA has yet to announce its plans for the coming months, but it seems likely that there will be a curtailed programme in the county.
County officials have been meeting to formulate arrangements, which will have be sanctioned by the Down County Board, after which clubs will be informed.
It is not known if the all county leagues will be played. However, it seems likely that championships will take place.
A Down GAA spokesman said: “We will have a window of opportunity to play club championships and the CCC have been engaged in preparing for any possible return to play.
“A return to play will bring with it a different set of challenges to what we have ever been used to and in the public interest we must embrace the challenges and regulations set before us to ensure the health and well-being of our members, their families and their friends.
“It will be different, but by adhering to what we need to do we will have the opportunity to play games in the summer and autumn of 2020.”
The spokesman said clubs were not permitted to train on council facilities or farmers’ land.
The spokesman added: “In the interim we again remind our clubs to adhere to the regulations at present until the agreed dates as outlined.”
The spokesman had this message for clubs and players: “Be patient and follow the return to play protocol.”