Wexford hurlers cancel trip to Thailand

WEXFORD hurlers' 10-day holiday in Thailand has been cancelled in the aftermath of last weekend's earthquake, which has resulted in the loss of more than 80,000 lives.

The Leinster champions were due to fly from Dublin to the Thai resort of Phuket on January 9, but yesterday county board chairman Sean Quirke confirmed that the holiday has been cancelled.

All travel and hotel arrangements had been completed but now frantic efforts are being made to find an alternative destination for the 40-strong party, which includes Mr Quirke and other board officials.

A players' spokesman said yesterday that, given the distress and trauma suffered by the people of Thailand, it would be inappropriate for them to be celebrating in the midst of such grief.

"In fact we don't even know if our hotel is still standing, we have been unable to make contact with it," the spokesman added.

The risk of disease is another factor which has had to be taken on board, and while there is understandable disappointment at the cancellation of the holiday all of the players and officials are at one in supporting the decision to cancel it.

Meanwhile, the Wexford County Board's travel agent is trying to make alternative arrangements, but with so little time in which to do so there is a major doubt about the hurlers getting their holiday.

"It may well be that a new date and destination will have to be found, but with most of the players having already finalised their own time off from work from January 9-20 that brings its own problems," said the players' spokesman.

He added that there is also the question of insurance cover for the aborted Thailand holiday to be sorted out. However, even if present plans to rearrange the holiday are unsuccessful, the Wexford party is happy the decision to cancel the Thailand visit is the correct one.