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Uncertainty surrounds the last two featured matches of the Fermanagh Allianz Division 2 Soccer League following a severe Covid-19 outbreak in the team.
RTÉ Sport understands that a significant number of players have tested positive for the virus.
The source added that the county was determined that the situation would be resolved long before the start of the Ulster Championship campaign, but that the county wanted to meet the remaining games and wanted to play all competitive games.
Veteran footballers will play Clare in the league’s sixth round on Sunday, October 18 at 1 pm at Cusack Park, Ennis.
After that, they play Laois in another must-win game. The Ulster v Down quarterfinals are scheduled for November 8.
Meanwhile, senior pitchers have Lory Meagher games against Louth and Cavan for the next five weeks.
RTÉ Sport understands that the Fermanagh board has been in constant contact with Croke Park since the situation came to light last Saturday. The outbreak in Fermanagh’s squad, according to the source, is not related to GAA activity.
There have been 4,005 new cases during the last seven days in Northern Ireland.
The return of universities has contributed to the increase in cases, 166 students and staff at Queen’s University have been reported to have tested positive for Covid-19.
“We are waiting to see what the situation is with regard to league matches, but neither we nor anyone else would want or consider having to give up any match,” said the source.
They added that the board wanted to play every game but regarding the League, they pointed out that they were at the bottom of the table and needed to beat Clare and Laois to hope to avoid relegation.
They intend to play those games, but are not sure when they can.
The source reiterated that there were ongoing discussions with Croke Park to help us deal with that situation.
When asked if they considered this development to be a major dent in the hopes of inter-county championships in the future, the answer was that they did not believe it would.
They added that the week-to-week format would make things difficult if cases emerged within counties, and that fear of lockdowns in the north and south at different times was a concern.
A statement from the county board confirmed today that all other Gaelic game activities in the county would be suspended, along with the halt of activity on the county’s hurling and senior football panels.
Fermanagh will await a decision at Stormont tomorrow regarding a possible lockdown.
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