The GAA is hopeful that the government will give the green light for club training to resume in May. 

Inter-county teams are set to return to collective training from April the 19th with underage players permitted to resume a week later.

A plan for this year's games programme will be published this weekend with the National Hurling League expected to get underway on the weekend of May the 9th.

Club's in Northern Ireland will have permission to train in limited groups from next week. The GAA is hoping that authorities in the Republic of Ireland will ease restrictions on club training at some point next month.

"In the coming weeks activity will return to GAA pitches all over the country," the association announced in their April newsletter.

"They are but the first tentative steps in Ireland's easing of restrictions north and south, and they are dependent on virus numbers being manageable, but for the first time in a long time, there is hope again.

"A revised fixture schedule for the GAA season with inter-county competitions followed by a clear slot for club championship will be released on the weekend of April 9.

"In the 26 counties, juvenile training in non-contact pods will be allowed from April 26. There is no fixed date on when adult club training can resume but it is hoped that this might follow soon after some time in May if government permits.

"In the six counties, club training will resume from April 12.

"Seeing our clubs with their gates open and people playing, and especially young people back out in the open air with their friends will be worth the wait.

"The end is hopefully in sight. Please hold firm."