A rocky start to the rocky road.
Running off the rest of this inter-county season was never going to be straight forward and on our first day back, the GAA have been given a haunting reminder of the testing times that lie ahead.
Down in Division Three, Leitrim and Down’s round six clash in Newry has been cancelled with the travelling side unable to field a team. The Leitrim county board released a statement this morning which confirms that a number of their players are waiting on Covid test results which has lessened their hand and ultimately left the county team-less.
This means Down will be given a walkover but with the battles for promotion and relegation tight and potentially coming down to score difference, this could cause upset to the table in the long-run with neither team’s score difference being affected.
DOWN v LEITRIM GAME OFF
Coiste Chontae an Duin have been informed by Leitrim that they cannot fulfil the Allianz Football League Fixture today due to lack of playing numbers available to travel.The fixture is thus conceded and will not now take place. pic.twitter.com/150cDJ9MCc
— Official Down GAA (@officialdowngaa) October 17, 2020
“Unfortunately, due to the greater health situation that has gripped the country,” read the Leitrim statement, “Leitrim GAA has found itself having to concede our Allianz League encounter versus Down today. A number of players are awaiting test results and unavailable to travel.
“Other factors also prevented further players from being available, considering this greater health situation, and in this course of action, we must respect this situation. In summation, we are unable to field a team.
“We are living through very difficult times in an ever-increasing pandemic situation. Leitrim GAA is acutely aware of the efforts that have been made to get the inter-county season up and running. However, on this occasion, we cannot fulfill this fixture which is regrettable. We are hopeful that our situation will have resolved itself before next weekend’s fixture versus Tipperary.”
