Government establishes Return to Sport Expert Group

The government has established a ‘Return to Sport Expert Group’ to provide guidance to Ireland’s sporting bodies on preparation for the phased return to sporting activity - in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. 

On Friday evening, the FAI had outlined their pathway for a safer return to football (see here) and confirmed that Dr Alan Byrne had been appointed by Sport Ireland to the Expert Group.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have now provided details on the Group’s establishment and make up over the weekend. The Department will chair the Expert Group, which includes medical experts from the Sport Ireland Institute and the sports sector, as well as officials from both the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Sport Ireland. 

The membership of the Expert Group is:

·    Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Peter Hogan (Chair), Betty Griffin, James Lavelle

·    Sport Ireland: Paul McDermott, Dr. Una May, Niamh O’ Sullivan, Shane Califf, Dr Jim O’Donovan (Sport Ireland Institute)

·    Sport Sector: Dr Rod McLoughlin (IRFU), Dr Alan Byrne (FAI), Feargal McGill (GAA), Niamh Duffy (CARA – the national pan-disability sport organisation)

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross noted that “sports organisations are putting detailed protocols in place and the Expert Group that we are establishing today will be assessing the consistency of these arrangements with the Roadmap and current public health advice.” 

Sport Ireland Chief Executive John Treacy in the Department’s statement said that "sport will play an important role as the country looks to emerge from the current crisis and the establishment of the Expert Group to guide National Governing Bodies through the process of reintroducing sport is a welcome step.”



“The only certainty around a return to football during this COVID-19 pandemic is the uncertainty,” said Dr Alan Byrne in the FAI’s statement discussing their associations plans for a phased return for the game. 

“As Medical Director of the Football Association of Ireland, I must look at any planned return to football from a medical viewpoint, with the health and safety of everyone concerned to the forefront in any decision making.”

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile