Featured image: Donegal’s Finnbarr Roarty breaks for goal during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal GAA County Board has voiced its disappointment after their request for a Sunday fixture for the All-Ireland quarter-final was turned down.
The Donegal versus Monaghan game has been confirmed for this Saturday at Croke Park, with a 4pm throw-in.
The County Board has tonight highlighted that Donegal has played more matches than any other county in this year’s championship, with eight games completed within an 11-week window.
This Saturday’s match will be their ninth, coming less than 12 weeks after their Ulster Championship Preliminary Round game against Derry on 6th April.
“On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and fully justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend,” said a spokesperson for the County Board.
“Coiste Chontae Dhún na nGall concludes that it is most regrettable, and very disappointing, that our request has been turned down. We feel the welfare of our players was not adequately considered in the decision making process.”
There was widespread expectation that the Donegal v Monaghan fixture would be held on Sunday, particularly as other counties that qualified, such as Kerry and Dublin, had played their games last Saturday.
Donegal’s next tie will form part of a double-header at Croke Park, with the second match featuring Dublin and Tyrone.
General sales for the two games on Saturday will begin at 12 noon Tuesday, with clubs to receive an allocation.