The Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) is backing Donegal’s concerns regarding their tight six-day turnaround in the All-Ireland SFC.
Donegal overcame Louth on a 2-22 to 0-12 scoreline on Sunday evening in Ballybofey in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final to book their spot in the last eight, where they will play Monaghan at Croke Park this Saturday at 4pm.
Whilst Kerry have been afforded an eight-day turnaround between their win over Cavan and meeting with Armagh on Sunday at 4pm, Dublin and Galway were given a week, having defeated Cork and Down respectively, and now will face Tyrone and Meath.
Donegal GAA made their feelings known on Monday night, having said they formally requested a Sunday fixture before the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) planned the schedule, with a statement saying “the welfare of our players was not adequately considered in the decision-making process”.
The GPA is the officially recognised player representative body for inter-county Gaelic footballers and hurlers in Ireland. The GPA’s aim is to promote and protect all aspects of player welfare and to provide an independent voice for players.
“We have consistently communicated to the GAA that player welfare must be the primary consideration in the scheduling of all games,” they said.
“This is not a new issue. The GPA has repeatedly raised concerns at Central Council about the burden of short turnarounds between high-stakes matches, particularly in the wake of National League finals and the start of provisional competitions.
“It is also a key reason why we have lobbied for the removal of the current group stage format, which creates a 24-game structure to eliminate just four teams – an excessive load that places undue strain on amateur athletes. It’s positive that the GAA has addressed that for 2026.
“However, it is disappointing that Donegal’s formal request – based on legitimate player welfare grounds – could not be accommodated.
“We will continue to advocate for player welfare to be at the heart of all fixture decisions. That principle must not be compromised.”
In full, the statement released by the Donegal County Board says: “No other county has played as many matches as Donegal in this year’s championship,” a statement reads. “To compound the physical and mental demands, those eight games have been played within an 11-week window.
“Match number nine comes this Saturday, less than 12 weeks after playing Derry in the Ulster Championship Preliminary round on April 6. On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and fully justified to seek an extra day of recovery time for our players this weekend. 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”.
