With competitive fixtures making a very welcome return in most counties this weekend, the current position in relation to the numbers of people permitted to attend games, in accordance with the Public Health Regulations, north and south, is below.
In counties Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan the maximium number of patrons permitted to attend a fixture is 200. This includes players, match officials and all those personnel with a direct role in the management of the fixture on the day. This is likely to equate to around 80 to 90 people, so the maximum number of spectators permitted to attend a game will therefore be circa 110/120.
In the Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down Fermanagh & Tyrone, no spectators are permitted to attend games. While the maximum number currently permitted at an outdoor gathering is 30, an exemption has been applied to allow that number to be exceeded if you are “taking part in, or assisting with, a sporting event.” As supporters have no direct role in the actual staging of the event, it unfortunately means that they cannot be present. It is hoped that there will be some relaxation of this guideline in the near future but, for now, we appeal to supporters to act in the overall public interest and stay away from games.
Clarification has been received in relation to parents ‘attending’ underage games (U-18 and below). In this respect, where a parent is transporting a child to play in a game, they are deemed to be ‘assisting with’ the fixture and are therefore permitted to attend.
Brian McAvoy
Provincial Secretary & CEO
Brian Mac Fhíobhuí
Rúnaí
