Return to Play: Dealing with positive symptomatology

Interim Guidance by The GAA (30.06.2020)

The advice below is relevant to all adult and underage players.

Close v Casual Contacts – current definition for Gaelic Games

1. If a player reports positive symptoms on their Health Questionnaire, or has tested positive for Covid-19 within the 48 hour period following a training session or game, members of the infected player’s team and backroom team (e.g. Manager, Coach, Selectors etc) should be considered close contacts until advised otherwise by Public Health authorities.

2. If the incident occurs arising from a game situation between two different teams, a risk assessment should be performed by Public Health Guidelines to ascertain whether some or all of the members of the opposing team should be considered close contacts.

Process:
In either of the scenarios outlined above, the following process should be followed:
1. Player should not attend training/game/work, should self-isolate and contact GP to arrange testing.

2. Player should also inform Covid supervisor of relevant team

3. If the positive symptomatology has arisen and a match has occurred involving that player in the preceding 48 hours, a risk assessment should be performed by Public Health to ascertain whether some or all of the members of the opposing team should be considered close contacts.

4. Player undergoes Covid swab test (usually arranged by Public Health Authorities or GP within 24 hours of referral).

If positive symptoms in player are within 48 hours of last collective training session or game, his/her team should:
5. Defer all activity (training and games) until test results are available as all squad will be considered close contacts if the individual tests positive for Covid 19.

6. If the test is negative, training and games can resume while continuing to adhere to all control measures & pre training / games health questionnaire. The player can return to activity once symptom free for 48 hours.

7. If the test is positive – all further activity suspended until public health contact tracers carry out full close contact assessment and testing.

8. Team members (including Manager, Coach, selectors etc) self-isolate as per public health advice and until advised otherwise
At all times, players who test positive should get medical assessment and clearance prior to returning to training and competitive activity.

Please note that Public health expert advice is evolving in this area and current guidance will be updated regularly.

Powerful attacking display sees Lavey minor footballers into last four

Minor Football Championship Quarter Final: Lavey 2-21 Kilrea 1-11

On a blustery Monday night at Lavey our minor footballers produced an exhibition of attacking football to ease into a semi final against Magherafelt.

Playing with the breeze in the first half the home team led 0-3 to 0-2 after 10 mins in what was a very even contest.

A fortuitous Kilrea goal saw them take the lead. When they added another point soon after, Lavey knew they were in a championship match and had to step up their efforts accordingly. A brilliant goal from Matthew Downey after great work from Enda Downey and James McGurk was followed by points from Oran Downey and Ryan Mulholland. The last 5 mins of the half saw Kilrea score 2 more points which kept them well in the game.

However the game’s major score arrived shortly after. Lavey’s raiding wing back Jamie Duggan sent a rasping shot to the top corner of the Kilrea net, ending a passage of sublime team play with boot and hand. It was as good a goal as you’re likely to see at any level anywhere in Ireland this side of Christmas.

Two more Lavey points – one from the skilful James Mc Gurk and one from Ryan McGill from a difficult angle with his left foot – saw Lavey lead at the break 2-7 to 1-5.

Facing into a stiff breeze Lavey needed a good start to the second half and they got it through powerful midfielder Fintan Bradley who thundered over two points. Kilrea were finding scores difficult to amass as the Lavey defence tightened, being superbly marshalled by James Crawford and Eoghan Laverty who both repeatedly carried balls out of their half and fed the Lavey attack.

Goalkeeper Paudie Duggan had a solid game and was having better success with his kickouts this half as his brother Joe and Shea O’Neill mopped up the breaks. With Cormac Collins covering off any loose kicks into the Kilrea full forward line, the points flowed from Lavey’s pacey forwards; the great team play, shot selection and accuracy were a joy to watch.

Fifteen shots in the second half resulted in fourteen points with captain Oran Downey leading by example, and the powerful running of Ryan Mulholland saw Lavey gain complete control in the midfield sector.

Points from Enda Downey (4) Matthew Downey (4) Ryan Mulholland (1) Jamie Duggan (1) Eoin Mulholland (1) Oran Downey (1) Calum Downey (1) saw Lavey run out comprehensive winners.

The most pleasing aspect of tonight’s victory was the style and standard of football these young footballers played. A word of congratulations also to the officials and referee Brendan Quinn who showed why he is one of the top referees in the county with a masterclass in how to properly apply the advantage rule.

Swatragh Put an End to Unbeaten League Run

A strong Swatragh second half performance left this result beyond doubt after a competitive and evenly contested first half. Swatragh were quickest out of the starting blocks; Dara McGuckin and Dervla O’Kane (2) registering early scores. Lavey quickly pulled the game back to a draw with a Teresa McElroy point and a goal from Aoife Shaw. The sides traded scores throughout the duration of the half, Bronagh Walsh pushing Swatragh into a two point lead with a well taken goal in the second quarter.

Half time score: Lavey 1-5 Swatragh 1-7

The second half was all to play for however Swatragh set out their mark early, Dara McGuckin finding the net on the first Swatragh attack from the throw in. Swatragh went on to score a further 1-9 without response, Mairead McNicoll hitting Swatraghs third goal of the game. A goal from Eilis Toner towards the end was merely consolation for the visitors as Swatragh capped off a well-deserved victory with an impressive performance, ending Laveys unbeaten start to their league campaign.

Lavey are back in action again in two weeks time where they face All-Ireland Champions, Slaughtneil.

Full time score: Lavey 2-6 Swatragh 3-17

Lavey: Niamh Gribbin, Clare McGill, Sinead McGill, Laura Scullion, Faoiltiarna Ward, Aine McGill, Eimhear McGill, Orlagh O’Kane, Teresa McElroy (0-1), Caitriona Toner, Aofie Shaw (1-3 1f), Claire Diamond, Eilis Toner (1-1), Aine Murphy, Maria Rafferty (0-1).

Camog’s Continue Unbeaten League Run

Lavey continued their unbeaten run in the league with an impressive victory against Castledawson at home on Friday evening. Castledawson hit the first score of the day, a free from Aoife Brown, however Lavey then went on a scoring spree with goals from Aine Murphy (2), Aoife Shaw and Teresa McElroy pushing Lavey into a 4-6 to 0-3 lead at half time. Castledawson had plenty of opportunities to raise the green flag themselves, however they were denied by a fine display of goal keeping from Niamh Gribbin.

Castledawson’s goal did come mid-way through the second half, from the stick of Megan Kearns, but this was merely a consolation as Lavey’s clinical finishing seen them comfortable winners.

Lavey: Niamh Gribbin, Claire McGill, Sinead McGill, Laura Scullion, Faoiltiarna Ward, Aine McGill, Lia Kelly, Teresa McElroy (1-0), Orlagh O’Kane, Claire Diamond, Aoife Shaw (1-7 1 45’), Caitriona Toner (0-1), Eilis Toner (2-1), Aine Murphy (2-2), Maria Rafferty (0-2). Subs used: Maria McGill for Lia Kelly, Katie Taylor for Caitriona Toner, Cara McGolderick for Orlagh O’Kane.

Half time Lavey 4-6 Castledawson 0-3
Full time Lavey 6-13 Castledawson 1-7