A Co Tyrone GAA club which had a player test positive for coronavirus could resume activities this weekend.
The footballer for St Patrick's GAC, Eglish had lined out in a league game against Aghaloo O'Neills at Eglish, near Dungannon, on Sunday.
It is understood he was tested for the virus on Monday and received his positive result the following day.
He informed Eglish officials who immediately suspended all activities.
A short time later Aghaloo, based in Aughnacloy, issued a statement confirming it too was closing down all operations.
It is understood the player has not been with teammates since the weekend.
The positive result came as a blow to the GAA's return to action last weekend after the coronavirus pandemic had forced a long lay-off.
However, an Eglish club official last night said the majority of players and officials, believed to number around 50, have now been tested for Covid-19 with no additional cases reported to date.
Eglish now hopes to be able to field a team at Clogher this Sunday.
“We are hopeful we will resume activities before Sunday,” the official said.
Under current GAA advice, “contact tracing takes place by public health authorities who will determine who are close or casual contacts”.
Close contacts will be tested and "undergo active follow up from public health" authorities.
However, the Eglish official said that “none of the players or officials are classified as close contacts”.
It is believed Aghaloo has also advised players to get tested.
Meanwhile, is understood Eglish players met in their club pavilion before Sunday's game.
Sources say that squad members gathered in its large sports hall, which can seat up to 700 people, both before the match and at half time.
Under current GAA guidelines clubs are not permitted to use indoor dressing room facilities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday Eglish said: “The club has at all times since resuming activities adhered to GAA and public health guidelines and regards the health and well being of our members and community as paramount in everything we do.”
The coronavirus scare comes amid reports that crowds attended some GAA games at the weekend.
Sources have told The Irish News that in some cases hundreds of spectators turned out to watch their teams.
No spectators are currently allowed to attend matches.
When contacted, a spokesman for the GAA at Croke Park said the coronavirus case at Eglish was a matter for the Tyrone County Board.
A senior county board official declined to comment when contacted.
