THE Donegal SFC final has been postponed after the GAA confirmed that all club games have ceased with immediate effect.
Defending champions Naomh Conaill and Kilcar were to joust at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park on Sunday afternoon.
The game had been moved from its original date at the end of September following a positive Covid-19 infection within the Kilcar squad.
It was subsequently pencilled in for this Wednesday but at a meeting of the Donegal Competitions Controls Committee at the end of last week the game was pushed back to the coming weekend.
However, today’s announcement by the GAA has led to its postponement while the Intermediate relegation play-off between Naomh Colmcille and Naomh Ultan is also off.
The GAA say that their decision has been taken ‘in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days’.
The GAA said: “In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.”
The future of the 2020 Inter-County season is now shrouded in uncertainty following today’s announcement.
The GAA said: “The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.”
The GAA statement read:
The GAA’s Management Committee has today endorsed a decision to suspend all GAA Club games at all levels with immediate effect and until further notice.
The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.
This directive applies to all ages and all grades across the island.
Club Social Centres / bars are also to close.
Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid 19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties.
The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.
The Association would also like to acknowledge all of those units who have worked diligently in complying with the public health advice around the staging of our games and training sessions since activity resumed.
More than ever, we ask that you continue with this approach where training sessions for your players is continuing.