Updated Monday 31st 0900
The Government announcement on Friday has given the green light for a return to fans in sports grounds and a return of indoor sporting activity.
It is still a cautious approach with the bigger reopening likely to not be sanctioned until into August or beyond but it is a clear indication that as things stand, we are through the worst of this.
From 7th June up to 100 people will be able to attend any outdoor gathering, the same date as matches are starting back at an amateur level across Gaelic Games and Football.
Swimming Pools and Gyms will also be open from that date, though indoor classes at both will have to wait until July 6th with maximum pod sizes of six.
Swimming lessons will recommence from June 7th after significant efforts behind the scenes by Swim Ireland and Ireland Active.
“I would like to thank Ministers Martin and Chambers, the Department of Sport, Sport Ireland and our partners Swim Ireland for working with us in highlighting the importance of swimming lessons for the leisure health and fitness sector. We look forward to the industry reopening on 07 June”, said Ireland Active CEO Karl Dunne.
July 6th will be a red-letter day for all indoor sport which will be permitted to resume with that same restriction on size.
A number of pilot events with larger numbers in attendance have also been sanctioned for June.
Leinster Rugby Vs Dragons at the RDS on June 11th
1,200 people allowed in the ground.
“We look forward to welcoming 1,200 supporters – selected by ballot from our 2020/21 Official Members plus front line workers from St. Vincent’s Hospital in recognition of their work to our game against Dragons,” said Leinster Rugby in a tweet.
“As a test event, we will share all lessons with other industries and stakeholders.”
“Covid-19 protocols will be in place and all Government guidelines will be adhered to.”
“But ultimately, we can’t wait to play our part and we can’t wait to welcome 1,200 of you back!”
Shamrock Rovers Vs Finn Harps at Tallaght Stadium on June 11th
1,000 people allowed in the ground
Littlewoods Ireland Camogie National League Final at Croke Park on June 20th
3,000 people allowed in the ground
“This is a huge honour for the Camogie Association and an endorsement of the immense effort from our fantastic volunteers and staff team across the country, to ensure that camogie players safely returned to training and play amid Covid restrictions this year,” said the association.
Lidl Ireland LGFA National League Finals at Croke Park on June 26th
3,000 people allowed in the ground
“The Ladies Gaelic Football Association is pleased to confirm that the Lidl National League Division 1 and 2 Finals will form the basis of a Government-approved test event for spectators at Croke Park on Saturday, June 26.
“The LGFA wishes to place on the record its thanks to the Working Group for return of spectators to stadia, Ministers Catherine Martin and Jack Chambers, and to our colleagues at Croke Park for making the stadium available on that date.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming spectators to Croke Park on Saturday, June 26, for what should be a very special occasion.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh
Racegoers will be allowed to attend one of the days of the Derby Festival over the 25th, 26th and 27th June.
Morton Games at Santry on June 26th
Spectators will be allowed at the final big athletics meeting before the Olympic Games.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Open
Mount Juliet July 1st to 4th
It is hoped that up to 2,500 spectators will be permitted to attend each day of the tournament.
It is hoped that larger attendances will be allowed through July and August.
The three main spectator sports reacted as follows:
GAA
The GAA is delighted with confirmation of the planned return of spectators to our games on a pilot basis in the coming weeks.
This follows similar developments in the Six Counties earlier this week.
The presence of supporters at our matches and the atmosphere they generate, are integral parts of the GAA experience and we look forward to the staging of our games at all levels of Association in the weeks and months ahead after what has been a challenging year to date for everyone.
We would like to acknowledge the co-operation of the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Mr Jack Chambers, his officials, Sport Ireland and The Combined FAI, GAA, IRFU, Working Party for Return of Spectators, which has been working to progress matters in this area since the start of the pandemic.
We particularly welcome confirmation of the GAA trial fixtures and are receptive to staging more of these exercises around the country as permitted.
We will be in contact with our units at every level in the coming days with further guidance and want to assure our members and supporters that we will be working with the authorities and doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of spectators to our games in the greatest numbers possible over the remainder of 2021.
FAI
The Football Association of Ireland welcomes the announcement this evening by An Taoiseach Micheal Martin and the Government around a series of trial events allowing the safe Return to Watch for a limited number of spectators at SSE Airtricity Premier, First Division and Women’s National League fixtures in Tallaght Stadium, Turners Cross and Tolka Park as part of the pilot event programme to begin on Friday, June 11.
The SSE Airtricity Premier Division game between Shamrock Rovers and Finn Harps and the First Division fixture between Cork City and visitors Cabinteely will feature on the opening night of the trial at Tallaght Stadium and Turners Cross respectively.
Tallaght Stadium will again host spectators for the visit of Drogheda United on June 25 and Dundalk on July 2 while the Women’s National League game between Shelbourne and Cork City will see fans at Tolka Park on June 26.
The FAI will continue to work with Government to extend the trial return of fans to other Premier, First Division and Women’s National League games.
“This Return to Watch trial for our fans is really welcome news for Irish football,” said FAI Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill. “The FAI has worked closely with Government and in tandem with our colleagues in the IRFU and the GAA on a phased return for fans as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease and we thank all involved with making this announcement possible today. With all our players back on the pitch from June 7 at all levels of Irish football and the trial events for the return of spectators kicking off on June 11, we can be really optimistic about the progress being made against the challenges presented to sport by the pandemic.”
League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon added: “This announcement is welcomed across all strands of our sport and we will now work with our clubs and all state agencies on the trial games. We are firmly of the belief that football has repeatedly proven itself to be a safe sport during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the diligence of our football community and our adherence to Government guidelines. We look forward now to continuing the good work at these trial events and at more games in the Premier, First Division and Women’s National League as we look to a return of crowds to all our venues in due course.”
Rugby
The IRFU welcome the Government’s announcement of approved pilot events this summer, which include the Ireland Rugby fixtures against Japan and USA in July.
We have been part of the Working Group on return of fans to Stadia, Chaired by Martin Murphy since 2020, and we will now move to our operational plans, based on the proposals submitted by the Working Party to Government and any additional guidance they have provided.
We will make an announcement on ticket distribution as soon as possible and we very much look forward to welcoming supporters back safely to the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster Rugby will also host a test event in June with 1,200 supporters set to attend the game in the RDS against Dragons.
Sport for Business Partners
