MATER OF LIFE AND DEATH

Fenton has true feel for crisis with his girlfriend on infectious diseases team

HE’S not exactly living with coronavirus but Brian Fenton is aware of just how close it is to his door.

The Dublin midfielder’s girlfriend Sarah Kelliher, who he shares a home with, is a doctor in the Mater Hospital and has been working on the infectious diseases team, treating patients with Covid-19.

Thankfully, she isn’t among the thousands of health workers in Ireland who have been infected with coronavirus.

“You are sort of trusting number one that she will be lucky I suppose,” says Fenton. “You are trusting that everyone in the hospital is obliged to stick to the protocols and no doubt she is wearing her gloves and gown approaching patients.

“They have their own protocols in place where they don’t wear the same clothes to and from the hospital. They wear scrubs in the hospital.

“So we have been lucky. I have been lucky so far. None of us have had any symptoms and Sarah has been in work full-time.

“It brings its own challenges but you sort of trust that the hospitals are doing their best to limit the spread as well as people going into hospitals.”

The virus has also challenged how Tekno Surgical, the company Fenton works for as a medical sales representative, goes about its business, with personal protective equipment now part of their output.

“A lot of our business would be elective surgery. With

Covid, they shut down operating theatres, bar emergency cases just in case any cases come in with coronavirus so, yeah, that’s put on hold for the time being but we’re adaptable as a distributor.

“We’re trying to bring in personal protective equipment, we’re trying to bring in anything now that’ll help the hospitals.”

As well as working from home, Fenton is kept busy with his studies as he builds towards a masters in business management. But while his time is full, the lack of a social outlet is jarring.

He was speaking in conjunction with Pieta’s Darkness Into Light Sunrise Appeal (inset), which ought to have taken place this morning and, in light of the current difficulties people face, the GPA and WGPA have launched REST (Routine, Exercise, Sleep, Talk), a mental fitness campaign. “What comes hand in hand with football is nights out and the bit of craic and even training camps,” Fenton explained. “Away from football, you’re missing your social interactions.

“I love bringing the dog down the park, watching sport and just walking around and being out and about. I’ve a nice, fancy barbecue out the back and I miss not having the lads over and a few games of FIFA but luckily enough I live with my girlfriend and I get to see her.

“I have been in isolation really. She gets up, she’s gone to work, I’m working and studying.

“I can imagine there are so many lonely people out there looking for that interaction and none more so than footballers.

“We want to be out and about and engaging. Just the craic about St Anne’s Park in Raheny, walking and being out with my mates and having a few drinks.

“I will look forward to all this when it is done.”