Northern Ireland

Aussie Rules team quarantined after former Tyrone GAA star tests positive for Covid

Conor McKenna playing for Tyrone in the 2013 Minor final at Croke Park. Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Conor McKenna playing for Tyrone in the 2013 Minor final at Croke Park. Picture by Colm O'Reilly Conor McKenna playing for Tyrone in the 2013 Minor final at Croke Park. Picture by Colm O'Reilly

A CO Tyrone GAA club has offered best wishes to a former player-turned Australian Football League star after he tested positive for coronavirus.

Conor McKenna, who plays for Melbourne side Essendon FC, was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Saturday following a test, and immediately removed from further training with team mates. It is understood he attended a training session on Friday.

The Benburb-born half-back flank, who played Gaelic football for Eglish St Patrick's GAC and the Tyrone Minor squad before moving to Australia for a professional sporting career, became the first player to be diagnosed with the virus since the Australian Football League resumed last week.

A statement from his team confirmed the 24-year-old, who had returned to Ireland for a period during the coronavirus lockdown, was asymptomatic and "showed no signs of having the virus".

As a result of Mr McKenna's positive Covid-19 result, a planned match against Essendon's local rivals Melbourne FC, which was due to be played yesterday, was cancelled.

Essendon club CEO Xavier Campbell said the club has now been shut following Mr McKenna's test, and the grounds will be "thoroughly cleaned" as per guidelines issued by Australia's Department of Health.

"The AFL and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) were notified immediately per the protocols," Mr Campbell said.

"We will continue to work with the DHHS and the chief health officer's team, as well as the AFL over the coming days to seek further details. We are also working with the Department to identify those who they deem to have been in close contact with Conor and isolate them."

Mr Campbell added: "The priority is also to provide our full support for Conor and ensure his health and welfare during this difficult time for him."

The chief executive of the AFL, Gillon McLachlan, said postponing the planned match was the "right thing for our clubs and community", and said all Essendon players and staff have been asked to isolate at home until further notice.

In a statement on social media, a spokesperson for Eglish St Patrick's GAC said: "The club extends our best wishes to Conor McKenna and hope he gets well soon."