Outdoor sports practice and matches may continue after 8 p.m. curfew

However, Sport Ireland clarified that the 20-hour restriction does not apply to outdoor sporting events or outdoor training, which means mid-week preseason provincial matches like the McGrath Cup and the FBD Connacht League can take place and training can continue without interruption.

Indoor sports can also continue training after 8 p.m. according to previous guidelines. However, indoor sports competitions cannot take place or go beyond 8 p.m., under the new restrictions.

In other words, while it is common for national and local league basketball games to start around 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., such matches, like the upcoming National Cup semi-finals and finals, will now need to be played. completed before 8:00 p.m.

Likewise, there will be a capacity of 1,000 people allowed to attend the upcoming National Cup semi-finals at Neptune Stadium (7-9) and the National Cup finals at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght (22-23 January). All indoor sporting events must be limited to 50% of the venue capacity or 1,000 participants, whichever is less.

Outdoor matches are limited to 5,000 participants or 50% of the venue capacity, whichever is less, which means matches like the Munster home game against Leinster on St. Stephen’s Day. will see Thomond Park less than 20% full.

Such a restriction will still be in place for the National Football League opening weekend (January 28-29), but is expected to expire or at least be revised one week before the start of the Six Nations Rugby Championship when the Ireland will host Wales at the Aviva Stadium.