Local football and League of Ireland hoping to save respective seasons
THE committee of the Galway FA was to meet last night (Wednesday) to discuss an update for clubs in relation to the coronavirus lockdown – but prior to the meeting, the plan was very much to complete the local leagues once restrictions have been lifted by the Government.
In an email to clubs two weeks ago, Galway FA secretary, Geraldine Treacy, wrote that the local footballing body was “following the date restrictions and guidelines from the Government and National Governing Body with regards to returning to football”, and as a result, the Galway FA committee “cannot make any determinations regarding date for resuming our Leagues at this time”.
She said that all activity within the league has ceased, with the exception of essential pitch maintenance in Eamonn Deacy Park.
There had been some provisional discussions regarding possible return dates, with a view to completing the 2019/20 season, the decision is effectively out of the hands of the Galway FA as nothing can be done until Government restrictions of movement and gatherings had been eased significantly, or lifted entirely.
The FAI was contacted by Tribune Sport this week in relation to the resumption of the League of Ireland season, and in reply, the national governing body pointed to its most recent statement on the league, which was all the way back on Friday, March 20.
That statement outlined that the Football Association of Ireland and the National League Executive Committee have set the weekend beginning June 19 as a target date for the resumption of SSE Airtricity League football”.
The press office of the FAI also directed Tribune Sport to its most recent statement in relation to the ongoing suspension of football due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which was issued on Friday last, April 10, and merely confirmed an “extension to the cessation order for all football under its jurisdiction until May 5 inclusive, following directives from Government and the Department of Health”.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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