THE GAA has suspended Dublin's senior football manager for 12 weeks after a number of players breached Covid-19 regulations by taking part in a training session.
The sporting body had expressed "extreme disappointment" over reports of a session at Innisfails GAA grounds in north Dublin on Wednesday involving up to nine players, and vowed to take disciplinary action following an investigation.
The Dublin GAA management committee said yesterday that following its probe, senior football manager Dessie Farrell would be suspended "with immediate effect".
Gardaí are now investigating allegations of coronavirus travel regulation breaches over the training session, and a spokesperson warned that anyone found to have done so would face a fine.
Restrictions on senior sports training sessions are set to ease in the Republic on April 19, allowing players to return to practice at outdoor pitches.
GAA bosses have warned that any breaches ahead of this date could put plans to resume training across the south in "serious jeopardy".
In a statement, a GAA spokesman said: "It is with frustration and extreme disappointment that the GAA acknowledges reports today of a potential breach of both our own Covid guidelines and those of the Government relating to the restrictions in place around team training.
"Less than 48 hours ago, the association reiterated its commitment to these current guidelines and called for continued compliance in the weeks ahead.
"The GAA will pursue the allegations with the units in question at the earliest opportunity and will invoke any necessary disciplinary processes as appropriate.
"In the meantime, while we acknowledge that the overwhelming majority of counties and clubs have complied in an appropriate and responsible way with the restrictions currently in place, we once again call on our members and units to uphold the integrity of the association as part of our ongoing efforts to play our role in thwarting the virus and ensuring a return to activity when it is safe to do so."
Pictures of the training session emerged just hours after Croke Park circulated a warning to all clubs and counties that any breaches of Covid-19 rules would put plans to return to training in "serious jeopardy".
The Irish government confirmed on Tuesday that senior county footballers will be allowed to resume training sessions from April 19.
In the north meanwhile plans are underway for the return of GAA training for senior and youths teams on April 12. The GAA's Covid-19 Advisory Group made the decision following directions from the Stormont Executive.
Training will involve 'pods' of no more than 15 people at a time, and there is no date yet set for competitive matches to resume.
