February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — With no confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the Republic of Ireland, most the main sporting organizations are gearing up for a resumption of competitive action over the next fortnight.
In GAA, the national leagues are set to get under way again on April 1, with the All-Ireland club finals scheduled for Croke Park on Easter Monday, April 16. The hurling semifinal replay between Graigue Ballycallan of Kilkenny and Clare’s Sixmilebridge has been penciled in for a week from Saturday.
It is hoped that the league program will be completed by early May and to avoid added fixture congestion due to replays, extra-time looks certain to be played in the knockout stages of all competitions.
Domestic rugby and soccer games will restart this weekend. However, Ireland still have to wait until the end of April for their next Six Nations match against Wales. Meanwhile, the Irish Horseracing Authority has confirmed that racing will resume on April 14, but the chances of Irish horses traveling to Cheltenham or to the English Grand National festival at Aintree remain slim.
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