Northern Ireland

Fermanagh GAA suspends all activity following spike in Covid-19 cases

Fermanagh GAA has suspended all training and games following spike in Covid-19 cases in the county
Fermanagh GAA has suspended all training and games following spike in Covid-19 cases in the county Fermanagh GAA has suspended all training and games following spike in Covid-19 cases in the county

ULSTER GAA has said it is hopeful Fermanagh can still compete in league and championship fixtures after the county suspended all activity following a spike in Covid cases.

The move comes just 10 days before Fermanagh is due to return to inter-county competition.

The National League is set to resume next week after being suspended in March, while the Erne County is also scheduled to face Down in the Ulster senior football championship on November 8.

However, speaking to The Irish News last night, Ulster GAA chief executive Brian McAvoy said he was hopeful Fermanagh would "be in a position to compete" on October 17.

He said the county had taken its decision after a number of senior players had tested positive for Covid-19, with the cases possibly linked to student accommodation in Belfast.

It came a day after Ulster GAA admitted there was a link between clusters of coronavirus cases and clubs that played in county finals.

Both the Tyrone and Derry senior football finals are under police investigation for potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations over apparent lack of social distancing by spectators.

The GAA this week suspended club games at all levels across Ireland to protect public safety.

The decision by Fermanagh GAA to go further and stop both training and games and club and county level until further notice was taken on Tuesday night.

A spokesman said it was decided that "all competitions, with the exception of the Junior Football Championship, will not be completed as a result of the current public health circumstances. This includes all adult and underage competitions.

"The outstanding Junior Championship Final between Coa O’Dwyers and Derrylin O’Connells will be played as early as possible in 2021 to allow the winner to participate in next year’s Intermediate Football Championship."

The spokesman said the "primary concern throughout this public health emergency has always been the health of our players, members and the wider community and it will remain so in the time ahead".

“The GAA, at a national level, has suspended all club games at this stage and Coiste Chontae Fhear Manach are asking all clubs to go one step further and to suspend all training at this time given the growing number of cases on Covid-19 in Fermanagh.

"Going forward, we appeal for all members of the association to comply with the public health guidance to prevent the spread of Covid-19".

While the announcement put a question mark over Fermanagh's involvement in the league and All-Ireland championship, Mr McAvoy said he was he was hopeful the suspension won't stop inter-county competitions going ahead.

"They have no games until October 17. Hopefully, they will be in a position to compete," he said.

"They are liaising with the Public Health Agency. They took a sensible precaution. Hopefully, a short term precaution."