Offaly unable to fulfil hurling fixture against Kildare

The Offaly senior hurlers have pulled out of Saturday's Christy Ring Cup match against Kildare.

In a statement issued last night (Thursday), Offaly GAA said that it regrets that "it will not be possible for our senior hurlers to fulfil the Christy Ring Cup fixture versus Kildare this Saturday".

The HSE has deemed almost every member of the Offaly panel as a ‘close contact’ of a player who tested positive with Covid-19 and this has led to Offaly giving Kildare a walkover.

It’s yet another episode which shows the hugely detrimental impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on Gaelic games and all sporting activities in this grim year.

Offaly were due to play Kildare in their first Christy Ring Cup outing at Bord na Móna Park, Tullamore on Saturday, in what would have been Michael Fennelly’s first championship game in charge.

The statement says that an Offaly player tested positive on Wednesday last, October 21, and had not taken part in training with the squad since October 13.

But as a consequence of a large number of panel members being considered 'close contacts', they are obliged to restrict their movements for 14 days (until October 27).

"Offaly GAA County Board officers have liaised with GAA officials in Croke Park since this issue arose on Wednesday afternoon. Our preferred option was for a postponement of the game, but we understand that this course of action is not possible as all GAA Championships must be completed in a short timeframe," said the statement.

The board made it clear that the Offaly team hopes to fulfil their second round fixture in the Christy Ring Cup.

"We hope to participate in the second round of the Christy Ring Cup on the weekend of 7th/ 8th November, when the players who are restricting their movements will hopefully be available. They are currently availing of the GAA’s rapid testing facility.

"Offaly GAA wish to stress that we would be prepared to participate in Saturday’s game with a depleted squad. However, it is simply not feasible with over 25 players ruled out," said the statement.

The board stressed that its officials along with team management, players and backroom staff "have followed HSE and GAA guidelines in relation to Covid-19 at all times".

They had expected that the panel members "would have been deemed ‘casual contacts’ rather than ‘close contacts’ of the one player with Covid-19".

"Finally, Offaly GAA accept that this is short notice for Kildare ahead of Saturday’s fixture, but wish to assure them that since this matter arose on Wednesday afternoon, we have been working tirelessly to avoid this unfortunate situation whereby the game cannot proceed as fixed," the statement concluded.

Due to Covid-19 protocols, three Offaly players had to withdraw from last Wednesday night’s Leinster U-20 championship win over Westmeath at Faithful Fields.