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A final decision on whether to hold the 2020 All-Ireland Championships will be made when the GAA clarifies that government funding will be received.
The decision is expected to be made imminently, possibly before tomorrow’s Central Council meeting.
In June, then-Sports Minister Shane Ross said that up to € 40 million in total would be provided to GAA, FAI and IRFU, if necessary to ensure their “solvency and continued existence.”
These funds have not yet been allocated and the GAA has already estimated that holding inter-county championships will cost in the region of € 19.5 million.
The approval of bank loans to help cover those costs will be sought at a Management Committee meeting tonight.
GAA also met with county presidents and clerks tonight to prepare for next week’s possible return to inter-county preparations.
A wide range of instructions were given to the county board chiefs before counties prepared to resume training.
The Association still plans to resume inter-county activity in mid-October with the completion of the final two rounds of the Allianz Football League.
Before that, with everything going according to plan and funding confirmed, inter-county training officially returns the following Monday and the meeting of presidents and secretaries discussed a “back to the game” document.
This document will be presented tonight to the GAA Management Committee.
RTÉ Sport understands that Croke Park has advised that a series of directives be followed as part of the inter-county season resumption.
Only three group sessions can be held per week. This includes two training sessions plus one game.
No overnight camps will be allowed during the 2020 championship.
Only 32 players can train with each county panel and 26 can enter the match day environment. Players must travel to training individually unless they are members of the same household.
Eleven members of the back room will be allowed to bond with the team. In addition, the president and county clerk may also be in the game day environment.
Squads can only meet three hours before matches and players will be advised to travel alone if possible.
Dressing rooms will be used during the fall and winter months, but time indoors should be kept to a minimum. Take-out boxes should be provided for players’ nutrition after training and games.
The use of ice baths and swimming pools is not allowed before or after games or sessions and, whenever possible, players should shower at home.
Teams will not be able to stay overnight at venues unless they are 130 miles from their home county. In such cases, individual rooms must be provided.
Rapid test procedures will be implemented if a team member tests positive and no team meetings or photos will be allowed on match days.
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