Gort GAA club have called for their Galway Senior Hurling Championship semi-final against St Thomas' to be rescheduled.
In a statement, the club said that they have a positive Covid-19 case in their panel and that the individual has "an underlying heart issue". There are also three further players showing symptoms of the virus who are waiting on test results.
The game was initially scheduled to be played last weekend, but was postponed until this weekend due to the Covid-19 situation. Galway GAA announced on Saturday evening that they had been informed by Gort that the club would not be fulfilling Sunday's fixture, and added that they "have reviewed all the evidence presented and have advised that the fixture stands. Failure to fulfill the fixture will be dealt with by Galway GAA CCC in the coming days".
Last weekend, Clarinbridge defeated Craughwell to reach their first Galway senior decider since 2011.
@Galway_GAA Statement re tomorrow's @TheBrooks_Group Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final Fixture: pic.twitter.com/y4niIdHJw9
— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) November 13, 2021
Gort GAA club statement on Galway SHC semi-final vs St Thomas
"The lifeblood of the GAA is its club hurlers and footballers. Supported by their management and club volunteers, these people make incalculable sacrifices for the love of our game and community. They give it their all in a spirit of unity, loyalty in accordance with the GAA ethos; "Give respect, get respect".
"We are acutely aware of the financial, emotional and other investments made in our team by our club officers, generous sponsors and wider community who have supported us relentlessly.
"As a group of players and management, above all else, we have a duty of care to our neighbours and families. We also have a duty of care to St. Thomas' Hurling club and match officials.
"We do not wish to compromise the privilege of representing our club and community in a county semi final. These are indeed the days we have all dreamed of and worked so hard for. However, we cannot, under ultimatum or otherwise, compromise on our aforementioned duty of care.
"At present we have a positive covid-19 case with an underlying heart issue within our panel and 3 players showing COVID-19 symptoms awaiting test results.
"We respectfully ask that the county board reschedule the game and allow the competition to be completed when it is safe to do so. Regrettably, for reasons outlined, our players and management cannot fulfill this fixture.
"Le meas,
"Gort Senior Hurling Team."
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Statement from our Club on the covid situation pic.twitter.com/MnZkHbcG9t
— Gort GAA Club (@GortGAA) November 13, 2021
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