The resignation of Stephen Rochford as manager of the Mayo Senior football team is “disappointing and a shock”, according to GAA commentator Martin Carney.

He told Midwest Radio this morning that over the weekend it was understood that Stephen would stay on and it was rumoured that he had planned to bring in former Mayo player Peter Ford, who had previously managed Galway and Sligo, and Shane Conway into his new management team.

It is understood however, that at a meeting of the Mayo County Board's Executive committee on Sunday, members did not endorse Rochford's new management team.

At about 6pm yesterday Stephen issued a statement announcing his decision to step down.

Connacht GAA Secretary John Prenty talked to Midwest Radio today to outline the reasons why Saturday's game between Kildare and Mayo is still in line to ahead in Croke Park after the storm over the Kildare's nominated venue of St Conleth's Park not being adequate to cater for the anticipated attendance. 

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The loss of elite status for Gaelic Games, the effect of Covid-19 on the GAA's fixture schedule and the current ambitions for the 2021 season were all discussed on Sunday Sport by the Director of Communications at the GAA Alan Milton.

He told Midwest Radio's Michael D. McAndrew that the loss of elite status had certainly 'ruffled a lot of feathers', as the organisation thought they would still be adhering to their original schedule, revealed before Christmas, with the return to Level 5 restrictions.

The Dublin man added that Easter is a considerable amount of time for clubs and young people to wait for a return to sport, but was frank with his analysis on why the association was no longer deemed elite.

"We can't bubble our players.

We're an amateur sporting organisation with amateur sports men and women, who prepare to very high levels, but ultimately don't receive payment and return home to their families and communities and indeed are in the workplace."

The Round Tower GAA clubman says there has been a lot of lot of upheaval in the GAA and society within the past few weeks, but he believes the loss of elite status will not affect how the games are viewed from a Government funding perspective.

He also revealed that it is still the GAA's plan to run the Allianz Leagues this year...

The GAA have confirmed that 100 spectators will be allowed to attend club and inter-county matches in the Republic of Ireland from next Monday, with a higher total of 200 permitted in grounds with a minimum capacity of 5,000.

These figures do not include players and all other people previously permitted to attend such as backroom members, stewards and media, so it means a restricted cohort of fans will now be free to attend matches.

Limited supporter numbers were already allowed at GAA matches in Northern Ireland.

A circular from Croke Park to GAA units, issued today, confirms the welcome news which was already on the cards following last week’s Government announcement on the latest easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

18,000 euro has today been allocated to Belmullet GAA Club for the installation of a fence and the purchase of nets.

The funding from the dept of the Gaeltacht and the Islands, has been announced today by the Minister for Rural affairs Michael Ring

The Minister describes Belmullet GAA Club as a fantastic club with over 400 members, 2 playing pitches, and 4 changing rooms. It serves eight primary schools and two secondary schools and its facilities are used by other clubs in the area for training.

500 supporters will be permitted at all GAA matches this weekend where there's a capacity of 5000 or more.

The limit is currently 200, and the 500-spectator limit was due to commence from next Monday, but the Government has brought the date forward by two days.

Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers said it's being brought forward to cater for a busy weekend programme of inter-county fixtures.

A number of GAA clubs in Mayo have challenged the nature of a vote of confidence in the county board, taken at Monday night's meeting.

Media were not allowed into the meeting that was held to discuss the ongoing impasse with the county's International GAA Supporters Foundation, but detailed discussion did not take place on legal advice, after a letter from a London-based law firm, representing Foundation chairman Tim O'Leary, warned against potential defamation.

However, the meeting did conclude with a vote of confidence in the county board - but the Irish Independent reports that Charlestown, Louisburgh, Ballycastle, Ardnaree Sarsfields, Lahardane MacHales, Burrishoole and Castlebar Mitchels clubs are contesting the outcome, while also seeking clarity on whether it actually took place.

The board insist that because there was no objection when the proposal was made, and seconded, a vote was not required.

A county board statement issued after the meeting said the vote of confidence was "resoundingly passed by all delegates".

A second vote to prohibit the media from future board meetings was carried by a show of hands on Monday night, but some of the clubs have taken to social media to register their disapproval with the move.

In a communication to clubs last night, Mayo secretary Dermot Butler appealed to clubs to desist from using social media to express their views.

He said the proper forum is to go through their respective Club Secretaries.

Roscommon will play Down in Dr Hyde Park on Sunday next at 2pm. The game is being preceded by the Division 3 Ladies NFL Match between Roscommon and Meath which throws in at 12 noon.

As there is a large crowd expected at the games patrons are asked to be considerate to others when parking their cars. A number of households have complained that their driveways were blocked by cars parking in front of gates during the Meath match.

In addition, the Gardaí have stated that they ticketed a large number of cars which were parked on footpaths and others which were causing obstructions in housing estates.

Roscommon town boasts year round free parking and there are sufficient public car parks around the town for all patrons to park safely.

Patrons are urged to park legally and ensure that they do not obstruct any gate ways or park in a way that could prevent an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or fire engine from gaining access to an incident.

The next stages of the Connacht Club fixtures have been confirmed.

In the AIB Club Junior football championship final on Saturday, Easkey take on Clonbur in Enniscrone at 1.30.

The intermediate final is down for decision on Sunday as An Spideal  meet Roscommon champions Fuerty in Tuam Stadium at 1.30.

The following weekend sees Mayo teams in action in the AIB Club Intermediate hurling and football finals.

In the hurling final on Saturday 24th November, Tooreen take on Oranmore Maree in Athleague at 1.30, while on Sunday 25th November in the AIB Club senior football final, Ballintubber meet Corofin in MacHale Park, Castlebar at 1.30pm.

Mayo's Aidan O'Shea has been voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week.

The Breaffy clubman earned 5, 409 votes on the Official GAA Instagram page with Donegal's Ryan McHugh second, and Dublin's Dean Rock third.

It follows Mayo's impressive performance over Galway in Tuam stadium last Sunday.

This could be the end of the season for GAA club games, with all GAA club games at all levels suspended with immediate effect.

That’s according to John Prenty, Connacht GAA Council Secretary.

In a statement this afternoon the GAA's Management Committee said the decision to suspend all games at all levels has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to its attention in recent days. “In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic”.

The directive applies to all ages and all grades across the island.

Club Social Centres/bars are also to close.

John explained to Midwest News this evening  that If inter-county games do go ahead next month, it now seems almost certain they will be played behind closed doors.

If Level 5 restrictions are imposed from midnight tonight, he said, that has implications for the League, and will mean the club championship season has come to an abrupt end, but added it was a great season for club football.

John told Midwest News this evening that the Association’s decision today that all GAA club games at all levels are suspended with immediate effect, is drastic action taken for the health of everyone.

All 33 of this weekend's Allianz National League have been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

The fifth round of Hurling League games will now be played next weekend with quarter-finals moved to St Patrick's weekend.

The semis will be played a week later with the final pushed back to the 31st of March.

Round Five of the Football League will be rescheduled for the weekend of March 11th. Any exceptions to the above will be addressed in the revised fixture programme to be issued on Monday. 

Meanwhile All Lidl National Football League games scheduled for this weekend have been postponed, due to adverse weather conditions. 

Counties involved in Division 3 and 4 will play this round on the weekend of the 17^th/18^th March and Counties involved in Division 1 and 2 will play their games on the weekend of the 7^th/8^th April.

Michael Walsh Senior Knockout

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Quarter Final 1), Garrymore 3-8 Westport St Patrick's 1-13

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Quarter Final 2), Knockmore W/O Bohola Moy Davitts  -

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Quarter Finals 4), Breaffy 2-10 Aghamore 1-12

Michael Walsh Intermediate Group 2

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Round 1), Swinford W/O Ballinrobe  -

Michael Walsh Intermediate Group 4

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Round 1), Neale 1-16 Crossmolina Deel Rovers 1-13

Michael Walsh Intermediate Knockout

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Quarter Final 3), Kiltimagh 2-12 Ballyhaunis 0-13

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Quarter Final 4), Islandeady 0-13 Ardnaree Sarsfields 0-22

Michael Walsh Junior Group 1

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Round 4), Tuar Mhic Eadaigh 2-16 Castlebar Mitchels Football 0-10

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Round 4), Killala W/O Eastern Gaels  -

Michael Walsh Junior Group 2

Sat, 15 Jun,

(Round: Round 4), Kilcommon W/O Hollymount-Carramore  -

Sun, 16 Jun,

(Round: Round 4), Crossmolina Deel Rovers 0-5 Knockmore 5-16

Sun, 16 Jun,

(Round: Round 4), Kilmeena 2-19 Breaffy 0-7

North Mayo Junior Championship Knockout

Sun, 16 Jun,

(Round: Quarter Final), Belmullet 4-10 Bonniconlon 2-8

The GAA have confirmed the fixtures for the All-Ireland senior, intermediate and junior club championships in the New Year.

In the Junior Club football semi-final, Sligo champions Easkey take on Red Hughs of Donegal in Ballinamore on Sunday 20th January at 2pm.

An Spidéal of Galway meet Naomh Éanna of Antrim in the All-Ireland Intermediate club semi-final on the same day - 20th January - at 2pm in Navan.

And in the All-Ireland senior club football semi-final, Galway champions Corofin meet Gaoth Dobhair of Donegal in Carrick on Shannon on Sat 16th February.

Galway side Oranmore-Maree take on St Galls of Antrim in the All-Ireland intermediate hurling semi-final on 20th January also, with a venue yet to be confirmed.

In the All-Ireland senior club hurling semi-final, Galway side St Thomas meet Ruairí Óg of Antrim on 9th Feb in Parnell Park, Dublin.

A split GAA season could be introduced as soon as 2022.

The GAA's Fixtures Review Task Force has recommended a split-season model, the merits of which will be put to counties before the 2021 Congress.

Under the proposals, the All Ireland finals will be wrapped up by late July.

The Football Championship would also undergo radical alterations.

The All-Ireland ladies senior, intermediate and junior club championship semi-finals will be played this Sunday.

Galway's Kilkerrin-Clonberne host Foxrock-Cabinteely of Dublin in the senior semi-final at 2pm.

In the intermediate semi-final, St Nathy's of Sligo take on St Paul's of Antrim in Belfast at one o'clock

and in the junior semi-final, CL McHales of Mayo are away to Edendork of Tyrone also at 1pm.

The Allianz Football League will proceed as scheduled, as will the All-Ireland minor and under-20 championships.

The decision was taken by the GAA’s management committee last night after a meeting of the county chairs earlier in the evening.

There had been some speculation that the completion of the leagues was under review, but the view from Croke Park, and endorsed by the counties, was that they should proceed over the weekends of October 18th and 25th.

Mayo and Galway are set to face off in the Allianz National Football League on Sunday week in Tuam.

Yesterday's postponed games in the Allianz Hurling League have resulted in this year's final being moved back a week.

The Division 1A meetings of Wexford and Kilkenny, and Cork and Tipperary have been re-arranged for next Sunday, as has the 1B clash of Waterford and Galway.

The quarter final meeting of Limerick and Laois will go ahead as planned on Saturday, but the other three quarter finals have been pushed back to St. Patrick's weekend.

The semi finals will now take place on the weekend of March 23rd and 24th, and the final on the same weekend as the football finals at the end of this month. 

Sunday’s blockbuster of Mayo & Galway will be live on Midwest Radio with thanks to our championship sponsor Salamanca’s Tapas Bar Dublin.

Angelina Nugent will bring you all the big match build up and post match analysis live from our satellite cruiser in an extended Sunday Sports Show from 2-7pm with former Mayo star Alan Dillon and Galway great Michael Meehan. 

The game throws in at 4pm and Michael D. McAndrew will be joined by Martin Carney for commentary on the tie.

Both teams are due to be announced tomorrow evening.

At a meeting of Roscommon GAA held yesterday evening Anthony Cunningham was ratified as manager of the Roscommon Senior Football team.

Anthony Cunningham is no stranger to Roscommon GAA having previously managed the Roscommon senior hurling team and the St Brigid’s Football team for three years winning two Connacht titles.

Anthony managed Garrycastle in Westmeath to an All-Ireland Club Football Final and he also managed the Galway Senior Hurling team from 2011 until 2016 reaching two All-Ireland Finals.  

The process to select a manager commenced on September 10^th when the committee was ratified by Roscommon Co Board and given the mandate to recruit a new Senior Team Manager. The committee consisted of Chairman Seamus Sweeney. Secretary Brian Carroll and Treasurer of the county board David O’Connor and they were joined by Niall Carty former Roscommon Senior team captain and Ciarán Heneghan a former Roscommon senior footballer. Tonight, they proposed the name of Anthony Cunningham to the clubs of Roscommon which was agreed by the clubs.