With Ireland about to be placed under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, it is now expected elite sport will be allowed to continue - including the intercounty GAA season. This is despite statements from Leo Varadkar last week which suggested the football and hurling championships would not be allowed to take place under Level 5. The GAA are expected to release a statement later today, after considering the Government's announcement of increased restrictions for the next six weeks. And, as Seán Moran writes this morning: "The likelihood is that the games will proceed after just resuming last weekend with a round of league football matches." Meanwhile following the resumption of the Allianz Football Leagues, here is a look at the current state of play in all four divisions as the relegation and promotion pictures become clearer.
Despite the impending Level 5 restrictions the professional rugby season is also set to continue, with the 2020 Six Nations finally resuming this weekend. Andy Farrell's Ireland take on Italy in Dublin on Saturday (kick-off 3.35pm), before they travel to play France in Paris on October 31st. And this morning Gerry Thornley has given a refresher course on the current state of play in the postponed Championship, with Ireland still having slim hopes of lifting the title. If they are going to do so however, they will be without Tadhg Furlong, Dave Kilcoyne and Iain Henderson as well as Jordan Larmour - Leinster confirmed yesterday the 23-year-old is facing four months out after dislocating his shoulder.
The Champions League returns tonight, with Manchester United travelling to play Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes - scene of the most famous night of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure (kick-off 8pm). Bruno Fernandes will captain a depleted visiting side, with Solskjaer confirming Harry Maguire, Mason Greenwood, Eric Bailly and Edison Cavani are all unavailable. Elsewhere, Chelsea welcome Europa League winners Sevilla to Stamford Bridge (8pm). Wolverhampton Wanderers were winners away to Leeds last night, Raul Jimenez's 70th minute winner earning his side a narrow 1-0 win at Elland Road. Earlier in the evening West Brom and Burnley played out a 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns - a fixture which could only be accessed by paying Sky Sports £15 for pay-per-view. There was also a 2-1 Premier Division win for Dundalk away to Derry City.
The 2020 Vuelta a España gets underway today, with Sam Bennett in the field as he looks to follow up on his Green Jersey success in the Tour de France. And while Bennett will have his work cut out in the 75th edition of the Vuelta, he is relishing the prospect: "It will be great to push my limits and see what I'm capable of, my first time doing two Grand Tours in one season."
And horse racing is among the elite level sports which will be allowed to continue under Level 5 - however bookmakers will have to close because they are "non-essential" shops.
