Covid hampering Tyrone’s prep for Ulster minor clash with Donegal

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in the Tyrone Minor football squad as they prepare for an Ulster Championship clash with Donegal.
Several players have been forced to self-isolate, and the Red Hands will be without up to ten players for the trip to Ballybofey on Saturday week.
The virus has not directly affected the Tyrone panel, but serious impact has come from close contacts in school settings and within the community.
“We missed a whole week’s training last week, just with numbers, and lads isolating and different things. So we took a week off and now we’re back,” said manager and treble All-Ireland winner Collie Holmes.
“We have had individuals in and out, and some lads are now self-isolating for two weeks, so it’s just day by day.
“Out of a panel of 34, we haven’t trained with any more than 22 in the last three weeks.
“We have 24 of a panel for Championship, and we hope we can fill that 24. It’s been very uncertain since we started back.
Efforts to augment numbers with fresh call-ups have also run into difficulties, according to treble All-Ireland winner Holmes.
“We have drafted in three of four other lads, who have stood up really well in club championship, and coaches and managers have been in touch with us to have a look at boys.
“But unfortunately three out of four of those lads are back into isolation again.
“That’s just the way it’s working, so it’s definitely a day by day basis for us.”