Galway GAA thanks St Thomas’ after  gesture ends wrangle over hurling semi

St Thomas’ have volunteered to play Gort in the second semi-final next weekend

St Thomas players, from left, Fintan Burke, Shane Cooney and Evan Duggan celebrate following the Galway County Senior Hurling Championship Final match between Turloughmore and St Thomas at Kenny Park in Athenry, Galway. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Galway GAA have paid tribute to champions St Thomas’ for volunteering to play Gort in the semi-final of the senior hurling championship next weekend.

Gort were due to be thrown out of the competition and face hefty fines after refusing to play their re-fixed semi-final clash with their neighbours on Sunday.

Gort wanted a fortnight break after one of their players tested positive for Covid-19 last Friday week and several of their players had to isolate and go for Covid tests and they threatened to appeal any decision to throw them out of the competition.

Now weeks of boardroom wrangling have been avoided after St Thomas’, bidding for four-in-a-row, volunteered to play the match next weekend, with the winners going on to play Clarinbridge in the final. The decider is now likely to take place on Sunday week, November 28.

“The semi-final fixture will go ahead next weekend following a proposal received from St Thomas’ earlier today. Gort GAA club have agreed to this proposal,” said a statement from Galway GAA on Sunday.

“Galway GAA CCC are happy to facilitate the proposal and we thank St Thomas’ for their generous gesture which allows the senior championship to proceed without further delay.” 

The match will be fixed for next Saturday or Sunday and the date for the county final will also be decided.

The resolution follows intense behind the scenes discussions over the weekend between the various parties.