Drumkeerin confirmed as host venue for refixed AIB Connacht LGFA IFC Quarter-Final
AIB Connacht Club IFC Quarter Final: Leitrim club set to host Claremorris next Sunday despite claims venue was deemed unsuitable to host game
Drumkeerin's St Brigid's Park will host the refixed AIB Connacht LGFA Club Intermediate Championship Quarter Final between Drumkeeirn and Mayo's Claremorris after the Connacht LGFA confirmed the fixture on Wednesday morning.
Despite claims that the Leitrim venue has deemed unsuitable by Connacht LGFA, the refixture was confirmed for next Sunday, October 26, at 1pm with finish on the day protocols in place for the Quarter-Final.
The original fixture last Sunday was postponed after match officials had deemed the pitch unplayable despite local officials feeling that the game could have gone ahead. The fact that the St Brigid's ground had earlier hosted the North West Tool Hire U15 FC Division 3 Final between Drumkeerin and St Mary's Kiltoghert complicated the matter with a lot of criticism on social media over the decision with Claremorris LGFA claiming, in a statement on their Facebook page, that the Drumkeerin pitch has been deemed unsuitable.
Claremorris LGFA wrote “Claremorris LGFA wish to thank all the supporters who made the fruitless journey to Drumkeerin this morning only to see our Connacht Quarter Final game abandoned. The Club had no advance warning as to the state of the pitch and the welfare of our players was our first priority. The match will now be played next Sunday at a suitable venue to be nominated by Drumkeerin. Drumkeerin pitch has been deemed unsuitable. If Drumkeerin are unable to find a suitable alternative by Wednesday, Connacht LGFA will choose a venue.”
The criticism of Drumkeerin's facilities has angered the local club and community with well-known Men's team player Cathal McCauley writing on Facebook: "This ground received Connacht club grounds of the year for 2023/24 how anyone could then suggest that it does not meet Connacht standards does not make sense and is highly disrespectful to all the hard working volunteers that put so much work into the Drumkeeran GAA club grounds.
"A lot of club members money has been spent on this ground over the years to make it what it is, which is an excellent facility with an excellent playing surface. It will be interesting to see if other grounds in Connacht will be put through the same hoops so that their own teams can play on their home ground, but I highly doubt it."
The refixed game will now take place next Sunday, October 26, while Boggaun will see Glencar Manorhamilton host Sligo's Eoghan Rua in the AIB Connacht LGFA SFC quarter final on the Bank Holiday Monday at 1pm.