ROVERS WIN A CLASSIC!
‘GAA must sort testing to stage Championship’
A LEADING public health expert yesterday called on the GAA to consider putting a testing programme in place if the All-Ireland championships proceed this winter. And Professor Anthony Staines also claimed that spectators could be permitted provided countyby-county restrictions are put in place for six weeks to dramatically reduce the number of new cases. While the GAA successfully reopened its club season in the absence of testing, there is growing concern that the logistics of restarting the inter-county season, such as players travelling longer distances for training and games, will make the current regulations unworkable. As winter approaches, there is also concern around the rule banning players from sharing dressing rooms. Prof Staines, who lectures in public health and public health systems at Dublin City University, said yesterday that the GAA should follow the lead of other high-level elite sports that have put rigorous and regular testing programmes in place. ‘The GAA has been very positive and very responsible but I do think testing is part of it. ‘I think they should be looking at what some other
TROY DEENEY has been offered to West Brom, with the veteran forward keen to remain in the Premier League. Deeney (right), Watford’s captain, admitted after his side’s final-day relegation that he was unsure about his future and raised the possibility that he would leave Vicarage Road after 10 years at the club. The 32-year-old has been put forward as an option to Slaven Bilic but West Brom’s head coach — although an admirer of Deeney’s reputation — is anxious to lower the age of his squad. For that reason, Bilic is also not interested in Brighton defender Shane Duffy, 28, who has also been offered to the club. The Croatian wants Huddersfield’s Karlan Grant, who scored 19 goals in 44 appearances last season, to bolster his strike force and is a huge fan of the 22-year-old. Bilic, who took West Brom back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, is impatient to bolster his group with only two weeks to go before the start of the new campaign. He was frustrated by the failure to sign Eberechi Eze from Queens Park Rangers. Eze had been Bilic’s prime target but the midfielder is expected to sign for Crystal Palace in a £16million deal. Midfielder Grady Diangana, who spent last season on loan at the Hawthorns from West Ham, is another player Bilic wants but West Brom officials have not yet made contact with the Hammers to discuss a new deal. Bilic — whose squad have been preparing at St George’s Park — is keen on another loan deal for Benfica’s Filip Krovinovic. The Croatian midfielder was key figure in West Brom’s promotion last season, playing 40 games.