SOME OF THE country\u2019s top ladies football stars are facing the prospect of playing three games in three days this weekend.<\/p>\n
The semi-finals and finals of colleges\u2019 championship action take place on Friday and Saturday respectively, while the Division 1 and 3 relegation play-offs are slated in for Sunday.<\/p>\n
The O\u2019Connor Cup is the the top-level colleges\u2019 competition down for decision in DCU, while Westmeath, Waterford, Louth and Wicklow are the counties involved in relegation battles in Abbotstown on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Westmeath players, in particular, have been vocal about the heavy schedule with the 2021 All-Ireland intermediate champions affected as they look to avoid the drop to Division 2 against the D\u00e9ise.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat to see Division 1 and 3 relegation games fixed for the same weekend as the college football,\u201d Karen Hegarty tweeted yesterday with an eye roll emoji.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayers potentially playing 3 must win games in 3 days!!! Surely it could have been fixed for any other weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her team-mate, star forward and 2021 Intermediate Player of the Year Sarah Dillon, who is due to be in action in the Lynch Cup with TUS Midlands, added:<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the relegation game being played the same weekend as the college finals could potentially mean myself and some teammates could have to play 3 games in 3 days!! Surely there is another free weekend to play this game?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can the Division 1 relegation [play-off] between Westmeath & Waterford go ahead the same weekend as college finals,\u201d former Lake county player and current coaching figure Carole Finch asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurely this can be pushed to next weekend, what\u2019s the rush? Player welfare? same story.. different year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Antrim player Grainne McLaughlin shared that she \u201ccan\u2019t comprehend this\u201d and branded the situation \u201cdisappointing,\u201d while Cork ace Eimear Scally wrote: \u201cRIP to any college students playing this weekend who also have to play for their County panels on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
The42\u00a0<\/em>understands that these fixture dates were voted through by counties, with the general consensus being relegation matches would be played directly after the group stages of the Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues.<\/p>\n It\u2019s believed that those involved were offered the opportunity to postpone this weekend if both counties could reach an agreement and settle on an alternative date, as was the case with Clare and Tyrone who will now play the Division 2 relegation play-off on 3 April.<\/p>\n When contacted by The42<\/em>, the GPA stressed that \u201cplayer welfare takes precedence\u201d and suggested that any clashes could have been avoided had the LGFA pulled its inter-county fixtures.<\/p>\n \n Get closer to the stories that matter with exclusive analysis, insight and debate in The42 Membership.\n <\/p>\n Become a Member<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n The players\u2019 body, who is working with the players involved, labelled the situation as \u201cdisappointing\u201d and called for greater consultation with fixture makers going forward.<\/p>\n The42<\/em>\u00a0also approached the LGFA and the four counties impacted for comment, though had yet to receive a response at the time of publication.<\/p>\n
DIFFERENTLY<\/p>\n