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Louth soccer captain Bevan Duffy believes the GAA has failed inter-county players by returning to action as Covid-19 cases rise, citing a lack of testing as one of their top concerns.
Duffy and his Wee County teammates suffered relegation to NFL Allainz Division 4 on Saturday as Cork won promotion to Division 2 after posting a resounding 5-19 0-16 victory at Leeside.
Speaking to radio station LMFM after the defeat, Duffy expressed his bewilderment that the matches were taking place.
“I don’t understand, with the increase in cases, the way things are all over the country, how footballers across GAA counties are suddenly immune to this,” he said.
“We have teachers in that dressing room. We have boys living at home, many boys living at home with their elderly parents.
“It really doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Duffy also questioned comments from many former players who work in the media.
“A lot of ex-players seem to drive it, but they are guys who write articles and have concerts on television,” he added.
“Lack of evidence, zero evidence, I just can’t figure it out.”
Expanding on current levels of cross-county testing, Duffy said: “The protocols must be better, hands down.
“There has been no proof at all, which I cannot understand.
“Surely before the start of the National League campaign, all inter-county teams should have been evaluated. Simple as.
“That would take a lot of pressure off and ease your mind a bit, but you don’t know.
“What if someone tests positive for any of these teams today next Tuesday?
“And there are guys after playing a game here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and then going back to their homes and back all over Cork and all over Louth.
“Lack of evidence, zero evidence, I just can’t figure it out.”
Given the lack of testing Duffy described, he is far from reassured by the current level of positive testing in the game, and sees the amateur spirit of the GAA as another major challenge in completing the league and championship schedules.
“If you don’t get tested, you won’t get any positive test,” he concluded.
“It’s not right to put this kind of burden on amateur guys. We are not professional rugby players or professional footballers who can get into these bubbles if need be or get paid to do this.”
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