Kilkenny star TJ Reid has called for the reopening of GAA club pitches so that people can exercise on them during the Covid-19 lockdown.

In a tweet posted on his Twitter account yesterday evening, the Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman made the argument that "public parks are open and were packed over the weekend, yet rural club areas within 5km of people's homes can't be accessed for use of safe walkways and to enjoy the grass roots of the community."

Please reopen our GAA pitches😊
Public parks are open and were packed over the weekend, yet rural club areas within 5km of people's homes cant be accessed for use of safe walkways and to enjoy the grass roots of the community.#club #exercise #physicalhealth #mentalhealth #GAA

— TJ Reid (@_tjreid) May 25, 2020

Walking tracks around pitches were still available in many clubs before the GAA made the decision to completely close all facilities until July 20 at least, in late March.

The GAA's Covid-19 Advisory Group are hosting meetings this week to discuss the possibility of opening walking tracks in grounds before July 20 (phase 4 of the Government's roadmap on easing Covid-19 restrictions), the date in which games could return.

While rugby is not permitted to return until phase 5 on August 10, since last week, the IRFU has allowed clubs to reopen their pitches if they are used as walking tracks by those who live within 5km as per government guidance.

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