DONEGAL chiefs are fuming over the six-day turnaround after their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Monaghan was fixed for Saturday.
The Ulster champions saw off Louth with ease in Ballybofey on Sunday in their preliminary quarter-final.
Donegal issued this statement late on Monday evening[/caption]
And they will go again in four days’ time following yesterday morning’s draw.
Jim McGuinness’ men battle Gabriel Bannigan’s side at Croke Park at 4pm, followed by Dublin’s mouth-watering clash with Tyrone at 6.15pm.
But McGuinness’ plea for a Sunday showdown has fallen on deaf ears as they now face into their third Championship game in 13 days.
And his county board hit out in a statement released last night, which read: “No other county has played as many matches as Donegal in this year’s Championship.
“To compound the physical and mental demands, those eight games have been played within an 11-week window.
“Match number nine comes this Saturday, less than 12 weeks after playing Derry in the Ulster Championship preliminary round on April 6.
“On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and fully justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend.
“It is most regrettable, and very disappointing, that our request has been turned down.
“We feel the welfare of our players was not adequately considered in the decision-making process.”
McGuinness hit out at GAA top brass earlier this month when their third-round All-Ireland group fixture with Mayo was played at Roscommon’s Dr Hyde Park.
Donegal edged Monaghan 0-23 to 0-21 in an Ulster semi in April before Bannigan’s men topped their All-Ireland group with three straight wins.
The clash of Galway and Meath at 1.45pm will start a Super Sunday double bill at GAA HQ.
In a repeat of last year’s semi-final, Kerry and holders Armagh face off at 4pm.
