Supporters of Ulster counties can look forward to returning to grounds across the Six Counties in the near future. 

The Northern Ireland Executive is to allow crowds of no bigger than 500 attend outdoor sporting events from Monday (May 24).

Ulster Rugby has already confirmed they will allow a crowd of 500 inside Kingspan Stadium for next week's Rainbow Cup meeting with Scarlets.

There are due to be two all-Ulster match-ups in Division 1 North of the Allianz Football League next Saturday with Armagh welcoming Donegal to the Athletic Grounds and Healy Park hosting the meeting of Tyrone and Monaghan.

Ulster GAA say they "will issue guidance to counties early next week in relation to the attendance of spectators at Allianz League games in the ‘Six Counties’ which are taking place after 24 May 2021".

They warn all counties, "Each host county must complete an event plan prior to each fixture they are staging".

Clubs in the Six Counties must also provide an event plan prior to each fixture they are staging, but Ulster GAA have not stipulated they need to await any further instruction.

The following guidelines have been issued to those wishing to attend matches:

• Appropriate Covid-19 signage should be displayed at all venues.
• Spectators must not attend games if they display any symptoms of Covid-19 and instead should phone their GP and follow public health advice.
• Individuals must be informed that much of the responsibility for managing Covid-19 risk remains with themselves particularly in relation to social distancing, wearing of face coverings and sanitation.
• Spectators should be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitiser.
• While face coverings are not mandatory for spectators. However, in the interests of risk minimisation it is strongly encouraged that they are worn by all. Volunteers and stewards shall wear face coverings at all times when operating in public facing areas.
• Spectators must not enter the field of play at any time including pre-match, at half-time and other intervals and after the final whistle or at end-of-match presentations.
• Spectators should be advised to keep their own record of contacts at a match for potential tracing purposes.
• Spectators should be encouraged to download the StopCOVID NI or, if appropriate, the HSE tracing

Ulster Rugby become first province to welcome back supporters