All Irish sporting events will take place completely without spectators following a decision by the government on Tuesday.
Under Covid-19 guidelines, a maximum of 200 people had been allowed at outdoor sporting events prior to today's move. That number included players, management, officials and members of the media and did, in places, allow for a small amount of spectators to attend.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "Sports events and matches will revert to being behind closed doors with strict avoidance of social gatherings before and after events."
New measures which have been introduced - which Martin said were due to "multiple significant outbreaks" of Covid-19 - will be in place until September 13th. Martin added that indoor and outdoor training should be restricted to six and 15 people, respectively.
An increase to 500 people being allowed to attend outdoor events was expected earlier this month but Martin announced on August 4th that it would continue to be limited to 200 for the remainder of the month. Today's decision cuts that number even further.
Club GAA games in Clare and Leitrim were already being played behind closed doors following decisions made by their county boards.
Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
