Former GAA President calls for attendance restrictions at matches to be based on ground capacity
July 26, 2020
Supporters stand for the national anthem before the Limerick SHC clash between Adare and Patrickswell at the LIT Gaelic Grounds. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane.
Former GAA President, Sean Kelly MEP believes Covid-19 attendance restrictions at GAA matches should be based on the capacity of each ground.
At present, attendance at all GAA matches in the Republic of Ireland is currently restricted to 200 in total including players, management, officials and spectators. GAA matches in Northern Ireland are permitted to have crowds of up to 400 since last Friday.
One of the largest stadiums in the GAA, the LIT Gaelic Grounds which has a capacity of up to 45,000, has been called into action in recent days for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.
The Limerick venue played host to Adare v Patrickswell and Kilmallock v Na Piarsaigh in the county SHC but despite its 24,000 seated capacity only 200 people were allowed to attend each match.
Commenting on Twitter, Kelly criticised the attendance restrictions, saying they "need to be realistic."
It makes absolutely no sense in a Stadium like #PáircnanGael @LimerickCLG , with a capacity of up to 45,000 to be empty for @KilmallockGAA v @NaPiarsaigh_CLG tonight. #COVID19 restrictions need to be realistic & based on each grounds capacity. @FineGael @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/2fZXHO6jFJ
— Seán Kelly MEP (@SeanKellyMEP) July 24, 2020
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