Northern Ireland

Calls for GAA to push back date of rescheduled All-Ireland football semi-final

The Tyrone management team of Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher have seen considerable Covid-related upheaval in recent weeks - culminating in the postponement of the Red Hands' All-Ireland semi-final clash with Kerry, which had been scheduled to take place on Sunday. Picture by Philip Walsh
The Tyrone management team of Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher have seen considerable Covid-related upheaval in recent weeks - culminating in the postponement of the Red Hands' All-Ireland semi-final clash with Kerry, which had been scheduled to take pl The Tyrone management team of Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher have seen considerable Covid-related upheaval in recent weeks - culminating in the postponement of the Red Hands' All-Ireland semi-final clash with Kerry, which had been scheduled to take place on Sunday. Picture by Philip Walsh

THERE were calls last night for the GAA to give "urgent consideration" to pushing back the date of the rescheduled All-Ireland football semi-final amid the coronavirus crisis facing the Tyrone squad.

Politicians have appealed to the sporting authorities at Croke Park to further delay the clash against Kerry on August 21 to allow Tyrone the "opportunity to compete".

It comes after it emerged the Red Hand senior squad may not be in a position to field a team for the rescheduled game due to the number of members testing positive and others forced to self-isolate as close contacts of confirmed cases.

The eagerly-awaited match at Croke Park, due to be played this Saturday, was put back by the GAA by six days following the outbreak with the All-Ireland final delayed until September 4.

County chairman Michael Kerr revealed that a request for a two-week deferment was turned down by GAA chiefs and he warned that a difficult decision will now have to be taken.

"The management will not be making a decision until this weekend on whether we will be capable of fulfilling the fixture," he said.

With some players only due to end their isolation periods just before the rescheduled date for the game, Mr Kerr said player welfare must be "paramount".

"It's clear that our players will not be ready to engage in a high intensity championship game so soon after being directly affected by this virus," he added.

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan last night said he believed the GAA should push the semi-final back further.

"Reaching an All-Ireland semi final is a huge accomplishment for any team and every player on it," he said.

"The achievement is even more impressive after the 18 months we've just had and I know how much the Tyrone team has put into this year's championship.

"I would appeal to the GAA to reflect on the spirit of the team, the players and the game Give Tyrone the opportunity to compete by pushing the date back a little further. These are extraordinary times and I hope the GAA will give this urgent consideration."

Sinn Féin councillor Barry McElduff also said: "I hope that Croke Park listens carefully to the Tyrone county board and whatever requests they make as way of reasonable accommodation are given careful consideration.

"It is a developing situation and I think that public health and safety needs to come first, including that of the players.

"Like other Tyrone supporters, I'm looking forward to the game and we can live with the necessary deferral.

"Tyrone are making a good case in terms of player welfare and I hope Croke Park actively listen and demonstrate a willingness to try and accommodate reasonable requests."