Three Cork GAA clubs have temporarily suspended all activity as some members fear they may have been in contact with a person subsequently confirmed to have Covid-19.
West Cork side Argideen Rangers were the first club to shut their doors as they’ve confirmed they have paused all club underage and adult group activities until Saturday at earliest, while neighbouring club Ballinascarthy GAA followed suit with a similar decision this morning.
A third club in St Oliver Plunkett’s this afternoon released a statement, suspending all Gaelic games activity to comply with HSE public health advice.
The Argideen Rangers released a statement saying: "This is a precautionary measure and is because a number of club members have told us that they may have been in contact with a person subsequently confirmed to have Covid-19.
"We in Argideen Rangers GAA feel it sensible and prudent to ensure to temporarily suspend both underage and adult group activities.
"We understand that anyone identified by Public Health authorities as a close contact will be tested for Covid-19.
"We will keep you posted on the resumption of activities and remind you to respect the privacy of all involved."
St Oliver Plunkett’s followed suit this afternoon with their statement reading: “Just to let our members know that as a precautionary measure we have decided to press pause on all group club activities until Saturday, July 11th.”
Statement from Club Officers of @oliverplunketts pic.twitter.com/FVhNSVZCwq
— St. Oliver Plunketts (@OliverPlunketts) July 10, 2020
Ballinascarthy’s statement on Twitter reads: “Please note that collective team training at all grades is temporarily suspended to comply with HSE public health advice and guidance from Croke Park on contact tracing protocols. This decision is taken to ensure the continued safety of all members of the Ballinascarthy community."
Please note that collective team training at all grades is temporarily suspended to comply with HSE public health advice and guidance from Croke Park on contact tracing protocols. This decision is taken to ensure the continued safety of all members of the Ballinascarthy community
— BallinascarthyGAA (@BalGAAofficial) July 10, 2020
Argideen Rangers are due to face Dungourney in the intermediate 'A’ Championship and last weekend they continued preparations for this clash with a challenge match against Kilbrittain.
Club championships are due to commence around the country from next Friday, with the Cork championships beginning a week later starting on 24 July.
Return to play protocols from the GAA specify that clubs must cease activity in the event of a suspected Covid-19 positive case to allow for contact tracing and testing.
Clubs returned to full contact training and challenge matches last week, with competitive action and championship clashes set to begin next Friday, 17 July.
Further details around the protocols for a positive Covid-19 test by a player in a club are anticipated. More information on what is defined as a 'close and casual contact' is also expected to be provided.
The GAA's Covid-19 advisory group met earlier this week to discuss this matter and it's understood that more details on the return-to-play process will be shared with clubs in the coming days.
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