Joyce airs fears over Covid close contact rule

Galway football boss Padraic Joyce

Galway boss Padraic Joyce feels the close contact rule in relation to positive Covid-19 cases could see managers “struggle to get teams on the pitch” in this winter’s championship.

The Tribesmen battled it out with Dublin yesterday afternoon in Salthill, where the All-Ireland champions took the points on a 2-15 to 0-15 score-line.

Speaking to RTE Sport afterwards, Joyce revealed he was without the services of a couple of players that were deemed close contacts of a positive case.

"We were missing one or two today who were classified as close contacts, and that is a killer for us as if you are classified as close contacts you are gone for 14 days," said the two-time All-Ireland winner. 

"And if one of our lads goes for 14 days next week, they’ll miss the whole Connacht championship as the semi-finals and final are within seven days, provided we get that far. 

"It’s the same with Mayo, Roscommon and most teams. The close contacts thing is a big thing and I’m not sure if it can be looked at from a GAA point of view otherwise teams are going to struggle to get teams on the pitch."