Carolan fumes over three-day turnaround

CAVAN U21 selector Ronan Carolan has accused the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) of blatant disregard for player welfare over its refusal to postpone Saturday’s All-Ireland football semi-final against Wexford.

Carolan felt it is unreasonable to expect the Breffni players to fulfil the fixture, just three days after their Ulster final victory over Tyrone.

“It is absolutely scandalous, and it is a big, big issue,” he said.

“We talk about player welfare, player burn-out, we take about looking after our players. This is not looking after players.

“We could play this game on Saturday week, we could play this game on Sunday week, and I gather Wexford as well would wish to play this game in ten days’ time.

“We would then have a week to the All-Ireland final, whether Cavan or Wexford win it. It is illogical to ask Cavan to play next Saturday. Seriously, I would be very, very concerned for basic player welfare.”

Former Breffni player Carolan, a physiotherapist by profession, revealed Croke Park officials had been sympathetic towards requests to have the game deferred, but the CCCC insisted that it goes ahead.

“We broached that subject a few days ago, Tyrone, Cavan and Wexford. To their credit, they have agreed, but unfortunately, the CCCC, in their eternal wisdom, have decided to put an All-Ireland semi-final three days after a provincial final.

“You would have to think that they do not really understand the basic effort involved in what was a top class game between two very fine teams, fine young men that are the future of the GAA. This is not the way to treat them.

“We’re coming off the field, a lot of our players are absolutely fatigued, and we’re expected to play another game in three days’ time.

“This is the biggest achievement for many of these players to date, and it’s totally and utterly unfair. In fact, it’s absolutely disgraceful that they’re expected to play again so soon.

“They really can’t enjoy this victory, because they have to prepare for what will be the next biggest game of their lives.”

The current fixtures pile-up was sparked in the early stages of the Ulster Championship, when a three-game saga involving Tyrone and Down caused the conclusion of the provincial series to be delayed.

“It is not our fault that the game was on when it was.

“We had won our semi-final three weeks ago, and to the Ulster Council’s credit, they gave Tyrone and Down a week’s rest after each game,” said Carolan.