Donegal requested a Sunday game for an extra day's rest after a tough schedule of games Donegal have said that it is "most regrettable" and "very disappointing" that their request to play their All-Ireland quarter-final against Monaghan on Sunday was denied. Jim McGuinness' side face Monaghan on Saturday in the first of the double-header of last eight ties at Croke Park that day with throw-in set for 16:00 BST before Tyrone face Dublin in the later game. Meath take on Galway whilst holders Armagh face Kerry on Sunday at the same venue. This is despite Donegal requesting a Sunday fixture to have an extra day's recovery as the last eight tie will be a ninth Championship match in the space of 12 weeks for the county. It is schedule that McGuinness admitted after their preliminary quarter-final win against Louth on Sunday, was "gruelling". In a statement from the county board, Donegal were critical of the decision to deny their request. "No other county has played as many matches as Donegal in this year's Championship. To compound the physical and mental demands, those eight games have been played within an 11-week window," the statement said. "Match number nine comes this Saturday less than 12 weeks after playing Derry in the Ulster Championship preliminary round on 6 April. "On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and full justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend," the statement continued. "Donegal 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."
Donegal request for Sunday quarter-final turned down
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Donegal's Request for Sunday Quarter-Final Against Monaghan Denied"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Donegal's request to reschedule their All-Ireland quarter-final match against Monaghan to Sunday has been officially denied, prompting disappointment from the team. The match is set to take place on Saturday at Croke Park, with a throw-in time scheduled for 16:00 BST. This decision comes after Donegal's demanding schedule, which has seen them play nine Championship matches within a 12-week period, raising concerns about player welfare. The county's management, led by Jim McGuinness, expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the physical and mental toll on their players, especially following their recent victory against Louth in the preliminary quarter-finals. They contend that no other team has faced as many games as Donegal this season, making their request for an extra day's rest seem reasonable under the circumstances.
In their official statement, Donegal's county board criticized the decision, highlighting that their players have had to endure a grueling series of matches since early April. They pointed out that the ninth match, against Monaghan, comes less than three months after their last encounter with Derry in the Ulster Championship. The board stated that the welfare of the players should have been a priority in the decision-making process, and they feel their concerns were not adequately considered. This situation has raised questions about how fixture scheduling is managed in the Championship, particularly regarding player health and recovery time, as Donegal seeks to navigate the challenges posed by their rigorous match schedule.
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