TWO GAA clubs in Co Tyrone have suspended all activities after a player tested positive for Covid-19.
The outbreak of the virus is a blow to the GAA's return to action last weekend after the coronavirus pandemic forced a long lay-off.
It emerged yesterday that a footballer for St Patrick's GAC, Eglish has tested positive for coronavirus.
He had lined out for his club during a Tyrone division two league clash with Aghaloo O'Neills played in Eglish, near Dungannon, on Sunday.
In a statement, the Eglish club said its committee had been made aware of a “positive Covid-19 test result from a member of our senior team”.
“As a result the club has suspended all activity in all age groups and codes."
It added that Croke Park and Tyrone GAA have been informed and the club will be “acting on the guidelines issued by CLG Tir Eoghain”.
“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 club will be making no further comment on this matter.”
There were reports last night that before Sunday's game, Eglish squad members had gathered inside the club pavilion.
Under current GAA guidelines clubs are not permitted to use dressing room facilities.
Asked if players had been inside, an Eglish official said “No comment”.
Pressed on the issue, the official said: “No guidelines were broken.”
The Aghaloo club, based in Aughnacloy on the Tyrone/Monaghan border, said it had been made aware of the positive result at Eglish and a decision was also made to “temporarily suspend all club activity in all age groups and codes as a precautionary measure”.
The club also said that since resuming activities it has adhered to advice and guidance issued from the GAA in addition to public health guidelines.
“Our decision to temporarily cease all club activities is based on the value that we place on the health and well-being of all our members and community,” it said.
“They are of paramount importance and integral to all decisions that we make as a club.”
It also wished the Eglish player who has contracted the virus well.
The decision by the two clubs to suspend activities comes days after 10 clubs in north Derry took similar action after a cluster of Covid-19 cases was detected in Limavady.
Earlier this year Australian Rules star Conor McKenna, who is a native of Eglish, also tested positive for the virus.
However, a subsequent test showed a negative result.
