The GAA have this evening confirmed that there will be no return to on-field games, either training or games, until Easter at the earliest.

This comes after Irish Government representatives clarified that inter-county Gaelic Games activity is not covered under the current Level 5 exemptions for elite sport.

As such a return to intercounty training or games is not permitted under the current restrictions.

A letter to clubs and counties from GAA President John Horan and Director General Tom Ryan stated: "It was also clear that there will not be any change to this position post-March 5th when the restrictions currently in place are reviewed. It is the view of the GAA's Covid Advisory group that no on field activity will be permitted - training or games - until Easter at the earliest."

It continued: "ln the interim, it is expected that the Government will publish an updated "Living with Covid" plan and we expect that this will provide clarity on when clubs and counties are likely to be allowed return to training and games in 2021.

"It should also provide clarity on when other off-field club activities may be permitted to resume. It is clear that this extended delay to the planned return of the inter county season will have knock-on effects for both the inter county and club games programmes originally planned for 2021."

The GAA have made no decisions yet on what competitions will be included in a revised fixture progamme and say that will depend on the time available for "both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season".

They added that they won't be able to take definitive decisions until they have a clear picture of the restrictions that they are likely to be operating under.

The letter added: "Rest assured however, that once clarity is provided by Government and Public Health Authorities on the likely road ahead for society generally and sport in particular, the GAA will follow with its own roadmap and plan for our own activities at both inter-county and club level, that will cover whatever time is available to us for the remainder of the year."