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Portlaoise Ladies Highlight "Nonsensical" Fixture Issue Ahead Of Leinster LGF Campaign

Friday, 20 October 2023 10:39

Kildare, Wicklow, and Longford provide Sunday's opposition.

This weekend marks the beginning of the 2023 Leinster Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship. 

All three county champions from the midlands will be in action on Sunday afternoon, with each team also having home advantage. 

Portlaoise are expressing their disappointment at the O'Moore County's LGFA for scheduling a Minor A final for the same day.

The Laois champions say six of their panel will have to chose between the two games, and the only accommodation offered by Laois LGFA, was to change the throw-in time to 5pm on Sunday.

Portlaoise take on Longford Slashers at Portlaoise GAA Grounds from 2pm.

π’π“π€π“π„πŒπ„ππ“ π…π‘πŽπŒ ππŽπ‘π“π‹π€πŽπˆπ’π„ 𝐋𝐆𝐅𝐀

This Sunday, October 22nd, the Portlaoise Senior team has the incredible opportunity to represent our county in the Leinster Club Senior Championship against Longford Slashers. This privilege is one we hold dear and a responsibility we take to heart.

Traditionally, we have rallied behind fellow champions from Laois in their pursuit of success at this level. It is our belief that unity amongst clubs, strengthens our collective image beyond our county borders.

Unfortunately, the Laois LGFA have now scheduled the Minor A final for the same afternoon of the same day. Six of our players are involved in both panels.

This predicament has forced these six players to choose between both panels. In light of this, the county boards only attempt to alleviate this issue was to change the Minor game time to 5 pm - but still on the same day!

With player welfare at the forefront of our minds, we are deeply disappointed by this decision.

Regrettably, player welfare seems to have consistently taken a backseat because of the decisions of administrators.

This Sunday should be a momentous occasion for our club, symbolizing our unity as representatives of Laois in Leinster.

For our Minor players, playing in a Minor final should be the crowning achievement in their juvenile sports journey.

The only proposed solution was to approach our opponents in the Minor Final, for a potential change. Unfortunately, this avenue led to a dead end. However we do acknowledge that this decision should never have been left between the two clubs.

At this juncture, we find ourselves unable to rationalise this decision.

Let us remember that we are all simply stewards of this beautiful game, entrusted with ensuring it thrives for the players' sake and for future generations.

It's time for the county board to take ownership and resolve this nonsensical fixtures issue.

The game belongs to the players, and their voices must be heard.

Yours in Sports

Stephen Duff - Senior & Junior Coach

Cyril Mulligan - Minor Coach

Ray Hanamy - Minor Coach

Brendan Gavin - Minor Coach

Olga Loughman - Portlaoise LGFA Chairperson.

Portlaoise LGFA Committee.

Offaly Champions Naomh Ciarán host Kildare champions Eadestown with that game taking place from Ferbane. 

Westmeath champions Milltown play host to Tinahely from Wicklow at the Milltown GAA Grounds. 

Both those games throw-in at 2pm as well.

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