The CPA has made a plea to GAA management at Croke Park to facilitate the completion of club championship finals around the country. 

The GAA have halted all club activity this week in tandem with a move to Level 3 nationwide restrictions to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been a number of controversial incidents such as the Blackrock post-match celebrations in Cork which went against social distancing guidelines.

Running an inter-county championship is now the priority for the GAA from later this month.

Micheál Briody, chairman of the Club Players Association, would like matches to be completed behind closed doors.

He says there is a lot of angst over the suspension of activity.

“We have been contacted by a lot of clubs over the last 24/48 hours, distressed and disappointed that their season has been brought to an abrupt and unsatisfactory end. They all understand the need to tighten restrictions, but are appealing to have the chance to finish out their campaign.

“Club players and supporters across all counties greatly appreciated the 11 weeks ring-fenced for Clubs. With uninterrupted access to players, the interest and excitement generated at Club Level was a tremendous showcase for our games and surpassed all expectations.

"The GAA leadership centrally, at provincial level and in some counties have attracted unfair criticism. This criticism has been for situations where they have little control over an individual’s behaviour, and where Association guidelines have been ignored or flouted.

"We all understand the euphoria of championship success, but some of the behaviour has rightly attracted scrutiny in light of the pandemic we are all living through. We do not condone this at all."

Nevertheless, the CPA believe that a lack of certainty as to when matches will be finished is 'extremely unfair' and that extra training costs will put financial pressure on clubs.