Coronavirus: GAA Club suspends training and matches inlight of ’pandemic’

Cookstown Fr Rocks announced the move on their Facebook page stating the decision has been made ‘in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic’.

The club said the suspension would run until March 29.

Last weekend local sporting circles were hit after an intermediate soccer player from Portadown side Hanover Utd was tested positive for the virus - he had been playing in a match against Cookstown side Coagh United.

In a statement after the news was revealed Coagh United said: “Whilst we have been told the risk to any of these people is extremely low, it is not zero. Therefore the advice for them is - monitor yourself for a period of 14 days. If within this period you develop any of the symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, high temperature), you need to self isolate immediately and contact your GP.

“There is still a potential risk to anyone who was in direct face to face or physical contact with the individual from Hanover. If you think that this might apply to you, then you need to call the Public Health Agency immediately.

“Those who were at the match or in the football club afterwards - even if they had been talking to the individual that day - were of absolutely NO RISK to anyone else they may have met, later that evening. The PHA advise that you are only a risk to others if you are showing symptoms.

“We will be carrying out a deep clean of our changing facilities and clubhouse; even though the PHA advised that this was not necessary.

“We would like to thank all our players, staff and supporters for fully cooperating with everything they have been asked to do, and for being so patient and understanding about this entire situation. You are a credit to our Club.

“We appreciate all the support that has been shown to us since Saturday. This is a very difficult situation that was outside of our control and we have done, and will continue to do, everything we can to help mitigate any risk.”

There was a double blow for the club in the wake of the scare as they moved to cancel a concert to take place there on Saturday, March 14.

A club statement said: “Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented events of last Saturday and the difficulties our club has experienced over the last few days because of it; we have taken the decision to cancel Rodd Hogg’s show on Saturday night. We will reschedule this for a date, hopefully in April. We are sorry for the change of plan.”