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Westmeath chairman brands new sporting restrictions "nonsensical"

Westmeath are the latest county to voice frustrations at the government's renewed restrictions ar...



Westmeath chairman brands new...
Hurling

Westmeath chairman brands new sporting restrictions "nonsensical"

Westmeath are the latest county to voice frustrations at the government's renewed restrictions around sporting events. 

Following advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Government on Tuesday ordered all matches back behind closed doors.

Outdoor training will be capped at groups of fifteen, and the measures will be in place until September 13 at the earliest.

The GAA has been in contact with all clubs to tell them that each team will be given an allocation of 40 tickets for each match. This will encompass the players and coaching staff.

Those 80 individuals are in addition to the match officials and stewards. Media will be allowed to attend games.

The Westmeath County Board are to meet on Wednesday night, with the prospect of their club championships being suspended a very real one.

"It costs money to run games," Westmeath chairman Billy Foley told Midlands 103, "We're throwing good money after bad at this stage.

"My view is that I will be hoping that Croke Park will stop all games until the 13th of September, and that they will make room for the club games as the priority.

"We'll have a good discussion tonight, but my personal view is that we shouldn't play any more games until September 13th, until they lift - what is, in my view - a nonsensical ban."

In a correspondence to clubs, the GAA say, "While we await further clarification on the issue of parents attending juvenile games we suggest that one parent or guardian may attend a game where they consider it necessary for the welfare of their own child.

"Cul Camps and team training should continue for the moment on the basis of no more than 15 people (including coaches) in a designated area of the field."

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Billy Foley Coronavirus Covid-19 GAA NPHET Ronan Glynn Westmeath Westmeath GAA