GAELIC GAMES:THE CENTRAL Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) has refused the Dublin County Board request to switch their National Football League game against Mayo from Sunday, March 20th, to the previous Friday night.

In reaching a decision, the CCCC considered the disruption to player work schedules.

“There is a player welfare issue to be considered here,” said GAA operations manager Fergal McGill. “Players will have to take time off work in order to play a match which isn’t something we’d like to do if it can be avoided.

“There is also the time factor. The fixture was made last November. The counties had an opportunity to request this but it only came in a week ago. We are obviously not keen on changing it at short notice.

“But, in general terms, the CCCC have a policy of not playing games midweek unless it can’t be avoided,” McGill continued.

“We are dealing with voluntary players, stewards, referees so it is just not a model that works for the GAA. The CCCC didn’t feel it would work on this occasion so they didn’t give permission.”

However, this argument was strongly countered by Dublin County Board chairman Andy Kettle. “This particular Friday is not like the other 51 in the year and many people will be taking a holiday to facilitate a long weekend as St Patrick’s Day falls on the Thursday,” he said. “It is disappointing as we firmly believe we would have got a bigger crowd on the Friday night.”

The Mayo County Board secretary Seán Feeney stated earlier yesterday they would have no problem facilitating Dublin’s request, although at no point were they offered compensation by them, via the Mayo player welfare fund, for players taking a half day from work.

“The half-day issue has caused some consternation in the county,” said Feeney. “I don’t know where it came from. Sure most of our players are students. Dublin offered to pay for hotel expenses but that’s it.”

Roscommon champions St Brigid’s face Crossmaglen Rangers in the All-Ireland club final on St Patrick’s Day while Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium in the Six Nations on Saturday, March 19th.

Dublin initially sought the fixture change to attract a larger crowd and because musician Imelda May was unavailable to perform on the Sunday due to her tour schedule but the pre-game entertainment will now be Horslips.

The Dublin minor footballers will also still host Laois in the curtain raiser.