Covid, Teams meetings and postponements: The Kerry-Tyrone saga of 2021

The All-Ireland semi-final between the great rivals almost didn't happen due to a covid outbreak among the Tyrone players and management

CLOSE QUARTERS: Paudie Clifford of Kerry is surrounded by Tyrone players, from left, Conor Meyler, Michael McKernan and Tiernan McCann during the game. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Early Saturday morning, August 7, 2021. Kerry are due to face Tyrone in an All-Ireland semi-final in eight days’ time but a WhatsApp message lands, outlining why it’s almost certain the game isn’t going to go ahead.

“Fears the complete Tyrone training squad could be stood down after another 11 players tested positive tonight,” it read. “The officials at Croke Park have ordered a covid test on every member of the squad tomorrow morning at Garvaghy.”