Clare v Tipperary added to list of test events

3,000 fans will be allowed through the turnstiles in Limerick

Sunday's Munster hurling semi-final between Clare and Tipperary has been added to the Government's list of test events. It will as a result be allowed an attendance of 3,000, as opposed to 500, in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds.

It joins other test fixtures this weekend, the Leinster hurling semi-finals at Croke Park, which is to be permitted a crowd of 8,000 - as announced earlier this week and Friday's League of Ireland fixture between Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers at the Carlisle Grounds, which has a revised capacity of 600.

Saturday's other Munster semi-final, between Cork and Limerick in Thurles, was one of the originally designated 'pilot' events and was allocated a capacity of 2,400 - the smaller capacity compared to Limerick being a function of the total seating in the ground.

The extra tickets for the Gaelic Grounds will be made available to clubs in the counties.

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There was also good news for Ulster GAA supporters with the announcement that the Northern Ireland Executive has removed the cap of 500 on attendances at outdoor sporting events from Friday at 5pm, allowing bigger crowds at the provincial minor football final between Derry and Monaghan and Sunday's senior championship meeting of Antrim and Armagh.

Ulster GAA CEO Brian McAvoy said, “following consultation with local authorities it has been agreed that tomorrow night’s (Friday’s) minor final will have a permitted maximum attendance of 800 spectators, while 1,700 spectators will be permitted to attend Sunday’s game in The Athletic Grounds.”

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times