The GAA has described today’s news of the first confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease in Co Louth as a "crushing blow" to the Association.
Gaelic Games fixtures were due to recommence this weekend but today’s outbreak has almost certainly ruled out the possibility of fixtures taking place in the Republic within the next month.
In a statement released by headquarters, GAA President Sean McCague said: "The GAA will consult with the Department of Agriculture’s special task force in the coming days."
Croke Park will issue necessary instructions to clubs and county boards within the next 48 hours.
A serious backlog of games has built up over the past three weeks and GAA officials had been keen to resume play this weekend. The outbreak will cast considerable doubt over the immediate future of the National League competitions.
Both the National Football League and National Hurling League have been left in a state of limbo over the past three weeks and the GAA are keen to complete outstanding fixtures in order to avoid a clash with the start of the championship in May.
The GAA has made "strenuous efforts" to get all Gaelic Games fixtures back on track. At a meeting at headquarters on March 14th, the Games Administration Committee drafted a new fixture schedule.
Round seven of the NHL and the delayed Division 1A football league game between Kerry and Dublin were scheduled to be played on April 1st.
The following weekend of April 8th was to see a doubling up of both football and hurling league action. Round 4 of the NHL and Round 6 of the NFL are due to be played. A full programme for both codes had been pencilled in to clear the build-up of outstanding fixtures.
All these games are now in doubt.
The All-Ireland Club football final between Nemo Rangers and Crossmolina - originally scheduled for St Patrick’s Day - was rescheduled for Monday, 16th April, but the possibility of this fixture going ahead on that day appears unlikely.
Similarly, the rescheduled All-Ireland club hurling semi-final replay between Sixmilebridge and Graigue-Ballycallan in Thurles on March 31st is also in jeopardy.
Speculation is mounting regarding the feasibility of staging the GAA’s annual Congress on weekend beginning Friday 6th, April.