Underage inter-county GAA games 'paused until further notice' from Wednesday midnight

Dublin's Josh Bannon battles with Tyrone's Darragh Canavan in last weekend's All-Ireland Under-20 Football semi-final

Inter-county minor and under-20 games are to be "paused until further notice" from midnight on Wednesday after the introduction of new Level 5 Covid-19 rules in the Republic of Ireland.

The GAA made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon following what it described as "clarification" from the Irish Government.

The new regulations allow for senior inter-county games to continue.

But underage games are seemingly not deemed in the 'elite sport' category.

The new rules announced by the Irish Government on Monday night gave a waiver to elite team sports including inter-county GAA.

The exceptions list published on the government's website stated in relation to GAA: "No training or matches should take place, with the exception of inter-county Gaelic games."

Wednesday's announcement means that the inter-county competitions now on hold include the Ulster Minor (under-17) Football Championship.

That began on Saturday with holders Monaghan hitting a last-gasp goal to beat Cavan 1-8 to 1-7.

The competition's four quarter-finals were scheduled to take place this Saturday with Tyrone hosting Donegal, Derry at home to Armagh, Antrim facing Monaghan and Fermanagh up against Down.

The new Level 5 restrictions come into effect in the Republic from midnight on Wednesday.

The All-Ireland Under-20 football final between Dublin and Galway scheduled for this Saturday has also been postponed.

Wednesday evening's Leinster Under-20 Hurling Championship fixtures will go ahead which includes Antrim's game against Dublin.