The Gaelic Games Administration Committee was today forced to postpone this weekend’s NFL Division 2A fixture between Longford and Donegal after both sides failed to reach agreement on a suitable venue.
Donegal requested a postponment of the third round tie which was deemed "fair and reasonable" to allow time to resolve the impasse surrounding a suitable venue as both counties claim they are entitled to a home fixture.
The tie had been announced on Monday as a home game for Donegal and set for Ballybofey but Longford claimed they were entitled to a home venue. After revisiting the matter the GAA then refixed the tie for Pearse Park, Longford which the Donegal county board did not accept.
The GAA explained the reasons behind the confusion, which was due to the fact that the programme, drawn up by the Games Administration Committee (GAC), was not the programme presented to the Ard Chomhairle for final approval at its meeting on December 10th of last year.
It leaves Donegal set to play five of their seven league games on the road, including the costly trip to London. Longford’s anger when the initial away fixture was announced was mainly because 10 of their senior panel were also involved in last Saturday's Leinster under-21 clash with Carlow.
The Administration Committee has requested both counties attend a meeting at the earliest opportunity to allow the matter to be discussed and ultimately resolved. Both counties have been notified of the postponement.