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GAA

10th Aug 2021

Tyrone might have to withdraw from Kerry game due to Covid cases

Lee Costello

The management will not be making a decision until this weekend.

Yesterday it was announced that Tyrone’s semi-final against Kerry, scheduled for this Sunday had been put back six days to 21 August.

However, Tyrone chairman Michael Kerr revealed that the Red Hand County had requested a two-week postponement.

“This is about player welfare, it’s clear that our players will not be ready to engage in a high-intensity Championship game so soon after being directly affected by this virus.

“The welfare of the players is paramount. The management will not be making a decision until this weekend on whether we will be capable of fulfilling the fixture.

“They have decided that the final should be pushed no further back than Saturday 4th of September, but if something similar was to happen in the meantime to any of the two panels competing in the final, that date would disappear into the twilight as well.

“While we appreciate the postponement, which now allows us to be able to field a team, our request to have the match put back until the following weekend would have allowed us to be able to field a team that would be properly prepared and be in a position to do itself justice in an All-Ireland semi-final.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to be able to field, but by the same token, disappointed that Croke Park have not given us sufficient time to prepare a proper challenge for Kerry.”

If Tyrone did pull out of the championship, they will have the consolation of ending their season as Ulster champions, however the players and fans know that All-Ireland semi-finals don’t come along too easily, and that this is a huge opportunity.

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