THE Club Players Association (CPA) has renewed calls for the GAA to permit county finals – including the Donegal SFC decider – to be allowed take place behind closed doors this weekend.
A number of county finals scheduled for this weekend were shelved after the GAA announced a nationwide cessation of club activity on Monday.
Holders Naomh Conaill and Kilcar wee set to joust on Sunday in the Donegal final, but the completion date is now up in the air and depending on Donegal’s advancement in the inter-county championship.
The CPA said Monday’s decision was ‘unfair on players who through no fault of their own are being denied the chance to finish what has been a unique and challenging season.’
The postponement of club activity came after a weekend when there were Covid-19 breaches at games and at after-match celebrations highlighted.
Micheál Briody, the Chairman of the CPA said: “We have been contacted by a lot of clubs over the last 24/48 hours, distressed and disappointed that their season has been brought to an abrupt and unsatisfactory end.
“They all understand the need to tighten restrictions, but are appealing to have the chance to finish out their campaign.
“The GAA leadership centrally, at provincial level and in some counties have attracted unfair criticism. This criticism has been for situations where they have little control over an individual’s behaviour, and where Association guidelines have been ignored or flouted.
“We all understand the euphoria of championship success, but some of the behaviour has rightly attracted scrutiny in light of the pandemic we are all living through.
“We do not condone this at all.”
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