The highlights of today’s revision of inter-county football fixtures sees the Senior footballers back in action on the weekend of May 15th. The Allianz National League Division 1 will be divided into two groups, as previously mooted, with Donegal playing Tyrone, Monaghan and Armagh. The top two in each group proceed to semi-finals with the League final on the weekend of June 19/20th. The bottom teams go into Relegation play-offs.
There are limited details on the Intercounty football championship but these will shortly be forthcoming from Provincial Councils. What is agreed is that they will be straight knock-out, with traditional Provincial Championships, with no qualifier series.
On the club scene it is important to note the GAA still do not have permission to return to club training or games yet in the Republic – only training in pods of 15 allowed in the Six Counties. However, the calendar is set up in such a way that:
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- Club competitions with county players can take place as County teams exit the Championships (in football, teams start exiting from the end of June; in Hurling July 10th) [RESTRICTIONS PERMITTING]
- From August 1st, all Counties bar All Ireland Semi-Finalists in Football and Hurling, and the teams in the Div 1 Hurling Relegation play off, will be free to stage club competitions with county players. [RESTRICTIONS PERMITTING]
- Additionally, the commencement of the Provincial Club Championships will be delayed until Mid-November.
- Provinces have been requested to ensure Clubs from teams in the senior inter-county All Ireland Semi-finals and Finals will not be involved in the earliest round of the relevant Provincial Championship (where possible).
- Senior Provincial Club Championship will most likely start in or around the weekend of Nov 20/21 (dates to be finalized by each Provincial Council).
- All Ireland Senior Club Finals are provisionally scheduled for the weekend of February 12th/13th
