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The GAA has confirmed that the 2020 All-Ireland Soccer and Hurling Championships will go ahead after receiving guarantees of financial support from the government.
The association had estimated that running inter-county games in both codes at the senior, U20 and lower level would cost around € 20 million and said it had to consult with the government before making a final decision.
In June, then-Sports Minister Shane Ross said that up to € 40 million would be provided to GAA, FAI and IRFU, if necessary to ensure their “solvency and continued existence” as the coronavirus pandemic stopped all sporting activity.
In a statement, the GAA said its management committee had decided that plans to host the championships would go ahead “after positive interaction with the government and an understanding that targeted financial support will be offered.”
London, Warwickshire and Lancashire will not participate in the 2020 championships, which means that Roscommon will receive a direct pass to the Connacht SFC semi-finals.
This year’s All-Ireland SFC begins on October 31 and will be a direct knockout competition. Hurling starts a week early and will feature a ‘back door’ classification system.
The statement added that “Due to the reduced level of funding available as a result of the pandemic, the Association will implement a series of strict financial controls that will govern costs and equipment preparation.”
As RTÉ Sport revealed yesterday, this includes a limit of collective training sessions to three per week and a ban on training camps.
The GAA also said that the special emergency powers for the administration of the Association under the Covid-19 pandemic have been re-approved and extended until December 4.
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