Long wants LGFA rethink on cancelled NFL fixtures

KERRY joint-manager Darragh Long has called for ladies football’s national governing body, the LGFA, to revisit their decision to cancel this year’s National League campaigns.

Following the LGFA statement on Tuesday, March 24, the Kingdom, who looked certainties for promotion to the top flight after five successive victories in Division 3, now look certain to miss out on glamour ties with the likes of Dublin, Galway, Cork and Mayo in 2021, due to the cancellation of their final two league fixtures because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Of course, we fully understand the circumstances behind it, the way the whole world is being turned upside down by this virus. But, from a selfish point of view, there were only two games left to go. Maybe the call made was a bit premature. We feel that they should have postponed rather than cancelling outright,” said Long.

“I would hope that the powers-thatbe would see a little sense in this. They haven’t called off the championship yet. If they decide that they can play a watered-down version of the championship, then, if we do get back training, you would need to give teams three or four weeks to get back up and running before that.

“We would love to play those remaining two league games during those four weeks of championship preparations. Doesn’t that make sense? Cancel the finals if they want, but finish out the leagues.

“If the league is just stopped for good now, do they just reverse the fixtures next year? We won three tough games against Armagh, Tyrone and Monaghan at home. Will we now have to travel to those counties next year? That’s not fair,” stressed the Austin Stacks club man.

“If that’s the case, then we are just after playing glorified challenge matches this year that mean nothing. We would end up with having got absolutely no benefit from our home fixtures this year.

“We totally understand why we are where we are. But if, and when, this blows over, we would hope that the LGFA would revisit their decision on the league,” added Long.

“Maybe the call made was a bit premature. We feel that they should have postponed rather than cancelling outright”