Essendon footballer Conor McKenna has delivered a second successive negative test for Covid-19.
It comes after two of his tests from last weekend delivered positive results, forcing the postponement of the Bombers’ tie with Melbourne and initially placing forthcoming fixtures in jeopardy as a media storm kicked off.
However, Essendon’s game with Carlton will go ahead this weekend but what that latest test result means for when McKenna can rejoin full training remains to be seen, reports the Irish Mirror.
The Tyrone man has been in isolation since news of his positive test emerged last Saturday and the Herald Sun has reported that he will require a third successive negative test result before being cleared of having the virus.
Essendon coach John Worsfold has cast doubt over whether McKenna ever had the virus given that he reported five negative tests before a positive one came up though it would likely require a blood test to try and identify antibodies to ultimately determine if he has indeed contracted COVID-19 at any stage.
Only one teammate of McKenna’s, James Stewart, was deemed to be a close contact of his following a training session last Friday though he has consistently tested negative for the virus and hopes to be able to leave isolation and resume training with his teammates.
After it was alleged that McKenna had broken quarantine rules, the 24-year-old was on the receiving end of harsh criticism in the Australian media, with ex-North Melbourne star and media pundit David King saying he had “no sympathy” for the Irishman.
King has since rowed back from his comments in the wake of McKenna’s negative result earlier this week and has vowed to apologise to the former Tyrone minor footballer.
