GAA Can cope if we follow the rugby methods

The likes of Ulster rugby star Jack Mcgrath are tested for Covid-19 regularly

PETER CANAVAN wants the GAA to roll out rapid Covid testing on a twiceweekly basis for intercounty panels.

The Tyrone great at (inset) claims

Croke Park must follow the lead of pro sports such as rugby, where a positive PCR test was detected this week within the Munster squad and six close contacts had to immediately self-isolate.

The National Leagues are to resume in two weekend’s time and Canavan believes prompt action is now required after the GAA shut down the club game this week and Fermanagh’s football panel experienced an outbreak.

“The issue of rapid testing is going to have to be loo looked at,” he said said. “I would th think that is what players would be expecting.

“If you’re a pare pa parent of a lad who is going to be exposed to inter-county football, I think you’d want that reassurance.

“There’s going to be a certain cost attached to it, but I think that’s a price well worth paying. That should be available to all county squads.

“You take different elite sports, there are measurements and procedures in place to make sure that there’s no spread of the virus, or that anyone that has it is out of action right away.

“There should be temperature checks going into training.

“Counties up here are insisting that lads come to training of their own free will and there is no sharing of cars and of transport and that they are not eating together after games.

“The contact on the pitch is the only contact that they have and apart from that and the testing, I’m not sure there’s too much else that can be done.”