The GAA have granted a Covid-ravaged Tyrone squad an extra week to prepare for their All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash by rescheduling it for August 28.
BY SHANE STAPLETON
The GAA have granted a Covid-ravaged Tyrone squad an extra week to prepare for their All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash by rescheduling it for August 28.
The association had originally given the Red Hands an extra six days by moving the game from August 15 to 21, but it will now be played on the 28th after both competing counties asked for it to be moved.
Kerry GAA had already announced that they were ready to wait at least another week, a day after the Red Hands had pulled out altogether.
Today, Tyrone joint manager Feargal Logan explained that one player had been hospitalised, while a large number of others had been hit with symptoms.
The All-Ireland SFC final — which will feature Mayo, after their win over Dublin — will be played on September 11 at Croke Park, meaning James Horan’s side will go into the game on the back of a four-week break.
The GAA released a statement, explaining:
“Following receipt of additional medical information from Tyrone GAA and subsequent deliberations with the relevant parties today, the GAA can confirm arrangements for the concluding stages of the 2021 Football Championship.
“The second semi-final involving Kerry and Tyrone will now take place on Saturday August 28 with the winners proceeding to a final meeting with Mayo two weeks later on September 11.
“This revised schedule has been finalised with the integrity of the championship in mind and to ensure that Kerry were not denied a semi-final outing.
“The GAA would like to acknowledge the co-operation of all of the counties still involved in the championship and it looks forward to working with the government to finalise these arrangements.
“Times for both fixtures will be confirmed in due course.”
