It’s happening.
Following a wide-reaching announcement from the steps of Government buildings in Dublin on Friday evening, the majority of Covid restrictions are being lifted in Ireland effective 6am Saturday 22 January.
Immediately, we scan the supporting documents to see what the story is with sport.
As it turns out, it’s pretty straightforward.
While due caution and personal responsibility are being pushed to the fore, there are no more limits for sporting events – indoors or outdoors. That includes the requirement for Covid passes for indoor sporting events as that makes way for everything bar international travel.
Want a kick-around indoors after 8pm? No problem. Want to bring 5,001 of your friends to a game at the weekend? No problem. Want to get UPMC Nowlan Park and Netwatch Cullen Park at full capacity this weekend and next? No problem.
Actually, if you want to catch a game under the lights in Carlow and then head for a pint and a bite afterwards, you can now do it again, all from 6am this Saturday morning.
While there is no official word on additional tickets for the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland club semi-finals at either TUS Gaelic Grounds or FBD Semple Stadium, Munster GAA announced on Friday evening that an extra 3,000 tickets for the Munster hurling final were being made available (Clare v Limerick) from 9pm, thanks to the lifting of restrictions.
It is likely that all ticket sales for venues this weekend will still remain cashless-in-advance, regardless of increased capacity. Thyestes Day at Gowran Park this coming Thursday now has the ability to go to full capacity with the potential of 10,000 in attendance.
Two weeks ago it looked like the Six Nations may be played behind closed doors? Now, they’ll be wide open. So with all that said and done, will you be at a game this weekend?
