Ball Six Senior players ruled out as result of Covid-19 tests

THE WEXFORD Senior hurlers resumed training over the weekend after two of the squad tested positive for Covid-19. Following a string of tests, it was revealed by Wexford GAA that two out of an overall tally of 54 - including players, management and backroom - were found to be infected.

The County Board further disclosed that all Senior football panel members were also tested, with four players succumbing to the virus which forced them to miss out on Wexford’s Allianz League Division 4 victory over Limerick on Sunday.

Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald said that 37 of the hurling set-up were tested at the Ferns Centre of Excellence, while another 17 were tested in Clare.

Tests for four Senior footballers and two Senior hurlers came back positive.

Just two weeks out from their scheduled Leinster Senior hurling semi-final with Galway in Croke Park on October 31, the County Board and manager Fitzgerald sought use of the GAA’s new rapid testing system that has been put in place for the championship. The tests took place over three days.

After the county’s Under-20 hurlers were stood down due to a number of players testing positive for coronavirus, and with four clubs also having to suspend activities, the fear was there might be a major outbreak in the senior camp.

However, that fear has been allayed. ‘We weren’t asked to test anyone but we felt it was the right thing to do as a precaution.

‘So we asked for everyone to be tested and we almost have a full clean bill of health now, and we will be working away from the weekend on,’ Fitzgerald said.

‘The two lads will be isolating but will return this week. It was important that everyone was tested because we need to know what we can and can’t do over the coming weeks.

‘Croke Park were very helpful in this and I thank them for being able to facilitate the testing. We now have to keep to ourselves and make sure we don’t have to go through this again. But it’s great to be able to get this done and to be able to play games again.’

Fitzgerald said some of the claims out there were sensationalised. ‘We wanted to ensure everyone in the group was tested to give us that bit of reassurance.’

While the GPA has sought the views of players regarding the championship, Fitzgerald said: ‘None of the players have said they are uncomfortable.

‘We told them there would be no problem if they wanted to skip this, but none of them have opted out. We have asked them two or three times and every time they have said the same.

‘I’ve said from early doors that it was important to have games, but as safely as we possibly can. It’s great that we can now look forward to them and supporters will be able to enjoy them, but we just have to be careful.’

For football manager Shane Roche’s first game in charge, he confirmed that three Castletown players would not be involved in the Limerick game owing to Covid restrictions, while one further player was not available owing to close contact.

‘We will be adhering to the HSE guidelines at all times,’ he said. ‘All the players will be available to return to training on Tuesday (tonight) having observed all protocols. This will make them available for selection for the final league game with Wicklow.’

The situation with the Under-20 hurling squad will be monitored before the Leinster semi-final which has been pencilled in for November 4.

Normal business resumed on the inter-county scene over the weekend, with mixed fortunes for Wexford. The Minor footballers exited the provincial title race to Louth, while the Senior camogie team lost out to the reigning All-Ireland champions, Galway.

But there was light at the end of the tunnel as the Senior footballers recorded an excellent three-point victory away to Limerick, leaving them on eight points with Wicklow and Limerick, and currently placed second on scoring difference.

It was a heartening start for manager Shane Roche and his backroom team, particularly as it set up a winner-takes-all game with Wicklow in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday, the first of two clashes involving the teams as they meet in the championship at the same venue seven days later.