Coughlan Addresses Outbreak Of Covid-19 In Clare Minor Football Squad

Derrick Lynch

The manager of the Clare minor footballers has outlined the details surrounding an outbreak of Covid-19 in the squad in recent weeks.

It comes as positive cases of the virus were identified in members of the panel following a challenge game against Galway two weeks ago, with the panel having travelled to that fixture by bus.

The squad are managed by 1992 Munster championship winner and Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman Dermot Coughlan, who told The Clare Champion that all precautions were taken prior to travelling to the game.

“The game was fixed for 7pm on the Friday evening in NUIG and a number of parents had indicated that they were not in a position to travel to it. I approached the county board about getting a bus and spoke to Glynn’s in relation to what was needed. They said it would be a 52 seater with only half that capacity being carried and everyone sitting in their own seat. They also told us that everyone travelling would have to wear a mask and I was at the bus myself to make sure that they all had one before the bus left Ennis. The driver also had his mask on” he noted.

The first signs of symptoms among the panel began to emerge on Sunday evening and Monday morning when players involved began to report feeling unwell. Coughlan outlined that as soon as that happened, all activity among the squad was stopped and contact was made with the HSE to begin testing.

The HSE website states that on average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days. Coughlan explained that not all of those who tested positive were showing symptoms.

“Some of the parents I spoke to were shocked that a positive test had been returned as their sons had shown no symptoms of the virus. It was just unfortunate that this has happened but thankfully there have also been a good number of negative results returned” he said.

The isolation period for the squad is set to end this weekend, with Clare due to take on Tipperary in the Munster minor football championship opener in Thurles on October 24.