Doors closed for Utd return

Galway United will resume their 2020 First Division campaign at the end of this month with two home games in three days – but the games are likely to be held behind closed doors on safety grounds.
Alan Murphy’s side will return to action with a first home game of the season when they welcome early pace-setters, Cabinteely, to Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday July 31 (7.45pm); followed on Monday August 3 by the visit of Athlone Town (7.45pm), after the initial game on the opening day of the season on Friday February 21 was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Under current Government guidelines, crowds of up to 200 people are allowed to attend outdoor events. However, that figure includes those involved in the event, such as squads, club officials, medical personnel, Gardai and stewards.
That would greatly reduce availability to the general public, and as a result, it is believed that United will take the decision to play those first two home games behind closed doors.
“We are looking at the numbers to see how many fans we could allow, but as far as we are concerned, it is all about safety, safety, safety,” a spokesperson for United said.
“We were planning for allowing 200 fans into the ground, but now that the number permitted to attend outdoor events is staying at 200, which includes those associated with the game itself, it is likely we will play those games against Cabinteely and Athlone behind closed doors,” a spokesperson for United told City Sport yesterday, adding that that the club would be contacting season ticket holders and co-op members over the next seven days about the matter.
It was thought that the number of people permitted to attend an outdoor event would be extended to 500 on Monday under Phase 4 of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, but a rise in the number of cases in Ireland has seen the Government postpone that planned easing until August 10.
If restrictions are eased on that new date, then the first chance for fans to attend a United home game will be the following Friday, August 14, when they host Longford Town (7.45pm).
As well as the new-look fixture list being released this week, the FAI also held the draw for the First Round of the FAI Cup, but there has been widespread criticism of the Associaiton that it did not also hold the draw for the Second Round.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune

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