Three Cork GAA clubs call a halt to all activities as Covid-19 precaution

Some Argideen Rangers members told the club they may have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus.

LAST UPDATE | 10 Jul 2020

A CORK GAA club has 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 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.

“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,” Argideen wrote in a statement on Facebook last night. “We will update you again on Saturday.

“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 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 we remind you to respect the privacy of all involved.”
https://www.facebook.com/ArgideenRangersGaaClub/posts/2896975147077743

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

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

“This decision will be reviewed again early next week. We continue to advise all members to adhere to HSE social distancing, hand hygiene and cough etiquette guidance. Thank you.”

Lot of Whatsapps flying around today about GAA players from two West Cork clubs who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
A number of teams have stood down from GAA activities until the results of the tests are back.
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) July 9, 2020

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.

- Updated with Ballinascarthy statement, and later to amend East Cork to West Cork. Updated once again with the St Oliver Plunkett’s news.

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