HSE Mid-West say they didn't review match footage in designating two Clare hurlers as close contacts of COVID-19 cases.
Clare GAA have backed their manager Brian Lohan's claim that the affected players were identified following discussions between the HSE's contact tracing team and members of the Wexford hurlers who tested positive for coronavirus following their National Hurling League clash.
Wexford chairman Michael Martin has called Lohan's comments "outrageous" and insists that their players didn't submit names of their Clare markers during contact tracing.
He added that last summer "public health officials viewed video footage and designated players close contacts on the back of that”.
But public health specialist with HSE Mid-West, Dr Rose Fitzgerald, has told Clare FM that they hadn't looked at videos of the game in determining whether the Banners' players were close or casual contacts.
“In this department, we haven’t been reviewing videos of matches that I am aware of. In our experience, we have seen transmission within the setting of playing sports and when we get cases, each is assessed on its own merits.
"So it will be an interview with the case and it will be discussions about their contacts.
“The risk assessment will include the type of contact and the duration of contact, and we have to make a decision based on the information that we have. It is particular to each individual case the assessment that is done.”
