GAA president John Horan has asked the associations members not to be too downhearted with the government's continued restrictions on crowd sizes.

His message follows the announcement that progression to phase 4 of the government's roadmap has been paused.

It had been hoped that from Monday, crowds of up to 500 would be allowed attend games while still respecting social distancing.

However, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) advised against this, and so crowds will remain capped at 200.

Horan had previously made a direct plea to the Taoiseach Micheal Martin to allow special dispensation for club matches to have their attendances increased.

"We made a strong case to both the Government and NPHET around the use of our bigger stadia for crowds of up to 400 excluding the players," Horan told GAA.ie on Tuesday night.

"But, obviously, with the numbers turning in the last few days they felt they couldn't acede to our request and we have to respect that decision."

Horan added, "We don't want our members becoming too despondent or disheartened.

"What's important is that we have the games back and we keep them back and we continue to be vigilant and show leadership.

"This isn't going as fast as we want but we're still moving in the right direction."

Club action has resumed across the country, with clubs have also been hosting Kellogs Cúl Camps since July 20.

"We're in our sixth week back with activity and this has shown our procedures and education have worked well," Horan said.

"The caution within the GAA community has highlighted outbreaks and led to areas taking precautions. When it hits a club everyone gets into high alert and that helps to stop the spread in that community.

"Nearly four million health questionnaires that have been filled out by people going to training and matches and it's creating an awareness in society and particularly in the GAA community that the virus is still out there.

"I'd like to complement the clubs and our volunteer leadership for all they've done and encourage people that if they suspect they have a case to come forward and be tested.

"We all have to keep doing the right things and hopefully things will turn for us in three weeks time and we'll then be able to get more people to attend games.

"But the most important thing is that we don't lose what we've gotten back so far. The playing of games and people being able to go training."