School ko’d by flu

A MAYO school has had to pull out of a senior provincial football semi-final because of swine flu.

St Muredach’s College from Ballina were due to play St Jarlath’s in the semi-finals of the Connacht colleges SFC yesterday but they withdrew from the competition because they could not field a team.

Twelve players were ruled out through swine flu and injuries.

St Jarlath’s were granted a walkover and will now meet the winners of today’s semi-final (between St Mary’s from Galway city and St Colman’s of Claremorris).

Robbie Reynolds, the St Muredach’s team manager, said they had no choice but to withdraw from the competition because so many players were missing.

“Between swine flu and injuries we couldn’t field a team. It is the first time it has ever happened us and is very tough on the lads.

“We have around 10 or 12 lads from the first team missing.

“We have a lot of young lads anyway, but we still couldn’t field a team of juveniles in a senior competition. We have mocks exams next week and midterm exams the following week so it looks like re-fixing the game is out of the question.”

Reynolds said it was a disappointing outcome after training all year: “It is a very unfortunate situation and nobody wanted to be knocked out this way.”