LAST UPDATE | 13 Jan 2023
LEINSTER COUNCIL GAA say that the integrity of the O’Byrne Cup has been “diminished” following Offaly’s decision to withdraw from the competition at the semi-final stage.
The Faithful County said in a statement earlier today that they were pulling out as their opponents Louth were unwilling to change the date of their tie. This comes on the back of several counties failing to fulfil fixtures in this season’s O’Byrne Cup, including Kildare, Carlow and Louth.
Following on from Offaly’s decision, Leinster Council GAA have also released a statement, instructing counties to consider their fixture schedules before committing to the O’Byrne Cup in future.
“It is with regret that Comhairle Laighean has accepted the decision of Offaly County Committee not to fulfil this weekend’s O’Byrne Cup Semi Final fixture against Louth,” the statement begins.
“On the back of three similar walkovers, and despite counties having been informed of the proposed structure as far back as November, the integrity of the competition has now been diminished. In future, counties will have to give serious consideration to their fixture schedule before committing to participating.”
Earlier today, Offaly said they requested a new date for their semi-final against Louth, and suggested Friday 20 January or Saturday 21 January instead of this Sunday, 15 January.
“Leinster GAA were willing to explore the idea, however Louth GAA could not facilitate our request,” the statement read.
The statement adds that Offaly has a large number of players involved in the Sigerson Cup next week and added a number of their players are sick or injured as well. They said they did not want to ask players to play a third match in eight days “in current conditions”.
“Medical and player welfare advice was very much against that happening,” the statement read.
Offaly manager Liam Kearns questioned the integrity of the O’Byrne Cup in a post-match interview on Wednesday night. Speaking to GAA streaming service Clubber, Kearns was unhappy at fixtures not being fulfilled in the competition.
Earlier this week, Louth opted not to play what would have been a dead rubber with Wexford, having already qualified from the group stage.
Kearns felt this decision handed an unfair advantage to their prospective semi-final opponents after his side had just come through a hard-fought win over Dublin.
“To be honest with you, I wouldn’t mind dropping out of the competition at this stage,” he said.
“We’ve had two hard games in four days. It will be a third game in eight days and our opponents have been sitting at home for the whole week.
“They withdrew from a competition here, they didn’t fulfil their last fixture. That’s the integrity of the competition shot as far as I’m concerned. If you enter a competition, you should have to fulfil your fixtures.”
Meanwhile, Mayo boss Kevin McStay has named his side for his first competitive game in charge, tomorrow’s FBD League semi-final against Galway.
Some of the emerging players handed the chance to impress include corner-back Jack Coyne, wing-back Fenton Kelly and centre-forward Conor McStay.Midfielder Matthew Ruane captains the team.
MAYO:
1. Rory Byrne (Castlebar Mitchels)
2. Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis), 3. Rory Brickenden (Westport), 4 Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites)
5. Fenton Kelly (Davitts), 6. Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore), 7. Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels)
8. Matthew Ruane (Breaffy – captain), 9. Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers)
10. Fionn McDonagh (Westport), 11. Conor McStay (Ballina Stephenites), 12. Bryan Walsh (Ballintubber)
13. Aiden Orme (Knockmore), 14. James Carr (Ardagh), 15. Paul Towey (Charlestown Sarsfields)
Have to hand it to the man, he has done a fantastic job with them, most managers of his caliber wouldn’t go near a team like Leicester, they usually only want clubs that can bring the very best players with alot of money in the bank and already have a team of stars. If they get champions league he is kind of manager that can attract star names for next season
I don’t think Ranieri’s stock was particularly high after being sacked from his last 3 jobs so to be honest, a mid to bottom of the table club in any league was always going to be the best he could get but credit where credit is due. I doubt Guardiola or Mourinho could have done a better job. The problems for Leicester will come next season. Will the players lose their hunger? Will they become big time charlies and demand wage increases? If they bring in better quality players, how will that effect team balance/moral, etc…
Top 4 is a near certainty hopefully at the very least top 3 so they go straight into the champions league, adding about 8 players has to be done at least with the extra games and the increased pressure on them , honestly I don’t fancy their chances of doing anything similar next season I hope they prove me wrong but they need to add to the squad
Beano, every manager with a bit of experience, comes to his interview, having been sacked from his last number of jobs, this man is just a breath of fresh air , and it’s showing in the performances, the players get it, they are enjoying themselves , and I think they will win that league, if they don’t it will not be because they freeze it will be because Spurs are coming into form.
I don’t think Leicester will win the league. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve been brilliant and deserve all the credit they get but if you read some of the media you would think they were 5 or 10 points in the lead! If City win this weekend, which I think they will, they’ll go top and I honestly believe they’ll stay there until the end of the season.
Wait for it ………Leicester next home game and all the fans holding up signs saying ……….YES WE CAN . But I really hope they win it . Ranieri is a class act .
‘Never did I blame them and say we conceded this goal because you did this and this’ Take note Gary Neville
A point at City would be a great result at this stage and I wouldn’t put it past them. De Bruyne out is a boost too. It’s that time of year now where teams like Leicester will pick up points against The Gunners so my money would be on them for a result then.
Ranieri for United