Westmeath GAA postpones April championship fixtures

With the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak intensifying in Ireland, Westmeath GAA’s Competitions Control Committee (CCC) has decided to postpone planned first round ties of the county’s hurling and football championships, which were due to take place in April.

With the cessation of most sporting activities widely expected to go well beyond March 29, and into May at the earliest, further announcements are likely from the GAA and other sporting governing bodies at national level in the coming days.

But at local level, Westmeath GAA officials have moved early to provide clubs with clarity about the fate of the county’s championship openers.

Damien Maher, the county board’s assistant secretary, said in a statement today: “In the context of the coronavirus outbreak, the CCC, having given the situation due consideration, wish to inform clubs that the planned hurling and football championship dates in April are now postponed.

“This is an evolving situation and the CCC will be monitoring it closely and reviewing our options accordingly. We will obviously be guided by the GAA at national level and the statutory bodies.

“We urge all clubs to ensure your players and members stay safe and to ensure that your club teams are adhering to the directive that no training or games can take place at any level.

“The GAA is a community based organisation and any assistance you can provide for people in your area at this difficult time, we urge you to do so, obviously conscious at all times of the HSE guidelines in relation to social distancing and other aspects of the current coronavirus outbreak.”