Government will not permit GAA inter-county challenge matches

Counties had been hoping to arrange warm-up matches in the three and four-week hurling and football windows ahead of the Allianz Leagues

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Newry Shamrocks club players in a training game on Páirc Esler in Co Down this week. The Government has ruled out inter-county challenge games between senior teams in the 26 counties, confining the return to play to senior inter-county training only from April 19. Picture: Inpho/Tommy Dickson

No GAA inter-county challenge games can take place until May 4 at the earliest.

The Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has confirmed to the Irish Examiner that there is no exemption for such matches between senior teams until the next review of Covid-19 restrictions.