Kildare complaints strike HQ as 'strange'

THE GAA have expressed surprise at statements from Kildare county board taking issue with having to play their All-Ireland quarter-final next Sunday. Complaints the county would have to play four weekends in succession were aired yesterday, but according to the CCCC, no representations were received by the end of the Sunday evening meeting that finalised fixtures for the quarter-finals.

"We met at about 6.15," said a CCCC source, "and broke up at 7.30 without receiving any communication from Kildare. There were letters read out from three counties making points about the quarter-finals but nothing from Kildare. Any objection they raised must have been on Sunday night, which is strange seeing as everyone knew we were going to be meeting in Croke Park as soon as the draw was made."

The three counties were Dublin - who took issue with the postponing of their match with Tyrone to next Saturday week - and Galway and Armagh, who were looking to ensure their fixtures would be played in Croke Park.

The CCCC was unable to accede to Dublin's request to play their quarter-final next weekend as scheduled but the other two counties' concerns were met.

When the details were completed they were emailed to the counties and media.

The same CCCC source was also adamant no further discussion had taken place on the matter yesterday.

In the circumstances it appears unlikely Kildare's request to have Sunday's match with Cork moved off the double bill featuring the latter's hurling All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny will be granted.

Earlier yesterday Kildare chair Syl Merrins had made the case for a deferral after his county's victory over Fermanagh in Sunday's qualifier at Croke Park.

"We are the only team that are being asked to go out four weekends on the trot," he said. "Tyrone could have been in that position but they have gotten the extra week because they're playing Dublin.

"We put in a request for a deferral of one week but were told on Sunday night that this would not be possible. I don't know why that's the case. There is time, even if a replay was needed. Sure Dublin and Tyrone aren't on until the 16th so clearly our quarter-final could be as well.

"We have a number of injury worries now, including Johnny Doyle. It's just pure fatigue and a build-up of wear and tear after so many close, tight games and the knocks that go with that.

"We are being seriously disadvantaged and it seems a very strange decision when there has been so much talk about burnout. Many of our players are worn out."