RYAN McHugh says that a recent Covid-19 outbreak in the Donegal senior football squad served as a ‘wake-up call’.
Donegal return to action next Sunday for the first time March as they face Tyrone in the Allianz League at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park.
Two-time GAA All-Star McHugh was on Off The Ball on Saturday afternoon as part of a remote roadshow.
The Kilcar man told how Donegal had to halt training for two weeks recently after three players contracted Covid-19.
“In a strange way, we got the wake-up call we needed right on time,” McHugh said.
“Going back nearly three weeks, three of the squad actually tested positive. We all had to isolate for 14 days then and action was stopped in the county.
“it’s different times. It’s just a matter of trying to adapt to these times and to focus and get the mentally around it that these things will happen and it’s about how you react to them when they do happen.”
McHugh should have been involved in the Donegal SFC final with Kilcar against Naomh Conaill today, but that game was shelved earlier in the week when the GAA decided to suspend club activity.
The game was originally postponed after a positive Covid-19 case and then moved from its next date, Wednesday last, October 7.
McHugh said: It’s extremely disappointing, but hopefully in the future we can get it played.”
The inter-county game will be back on the menu next weekend. Donegal have League fixtures against Tyrone and Kerry before they welcome Tyrone to Ballybofey for an Ulster SFC clash on November 1.
McHugh believes the outbreak in the squad has reinforced the importance of continuing to follow the Covid-19 guidelines.
He said: “We missed no matches. Yeah we missed two weeks of training, which isn’t ideal, but we missed no matches over it. we actually got the wake-up call at the right time. You don’t want anyone to pick up Covid.
“We have talked about it the last couple of nights. We have to be that wee bit extra careful: Wear your mask everywhere you go, keep your distance, simple things like travel on your own in the car, if you’re going to work or training so you don’t put you or your team in jeopardy of missing out on a League of Championship match.
“The way we’re looking at it is if someone gets Covid, it’s just the same as getting a red card, you miss the match and could cost the game.”
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