Two more GAA clubs have suspended activities after players tested positive for Covid-19.
The latest clubs affected are St Moninna's GAC, from Killeavy in Co Armagh, and Longstone GAC, near Annalong in Co Down.
It follows a positive test by a player from Eglish GAC in Co Tyrone earlier this week, after the GAA had resumed activities following a long lay-off due to the pandemic.
[ READ MORE: Wearing of face masks to be enforced in shops from August 20Opens in new window ]
Killeavy chairman Michael O'Neill confirmed that a player had returned a positive test.
“According to protocol, we have no option but to shut down all club activities and the gates of the club will be locked from this afternoon,” he said.
“Public Health has been informed and they will now be carrying out a test and trace operation.
“I would ask all our members to cooperate with Public Health if required."
Longstone GAC also said a member of its senior panel has tested positive.
“The member has taken the appropriate actions as advised by the Public Health Agency," it said.
“All relevant persons have been advised and the Public Health Agency will contact any club member if they deem it necessary to do so."
The club said that while current advice is to “continue as normal” it has decided to cancel all training and games until next Monday.
“This is an unfortunate reminder that the virus remains a threat to our community, so we ask you to continue to respect the protocols put in place to ensure everyone's safety,” the club said.
Last week it emerged that nearby club Atticall also had a player test positive.
St Patrick's GAC, Eglish suspended all activity earlier this week, as did Aghaloo O'Neill's which had been its opponent in a league game last Sunday.
Around 50 players and officials at the Eglish club have since been tested for the virus and it is understood all have been negative to date.
Last weekend 10 clubs in north Derry suspended operations after a cluster of Covid cases was identified in the Limavady area.
St Mary's GAC in Banagher later confirmed that a member had tested positive for the virus.
Down County Board chairman Jack Devaney said the “impact on fixtures isn’t significant at the moment”.
“As I said after the first case we had in Down, it won’t be the last one and this one won’t be the last one either," he said.
“You just have to take it as it comes really.
“For the most part, the clubs involved won’t have that much to worry about and these kind of things will be dealt with in a couple of days.
“However, it does still hold out a warning to us all in relation to this.”
