Donegal request for Sunday quarter-final turned down

Donegal requested a Sunday game for an extra day's rest after a tough schedule of games

Donegal have said that it is "most regrettable" and "very disappointing" that the county's request to play their All-Ireland quarter-final against Monaghan on Sunday was denied.

Jim McGuinness' side face Monaghan on Saturday in the first of the double-header of last-eight ties at Croke Park that day with throw-in set for 16:00 BST before Tyrone face Dublin in the later game.

On Sunday, Meath take on Galway - the other quarter-finalist to have played last Sunday - while holders Armagh face Kerry at the same venue.

This is despite Donegal requesting a Sunday fixture to have an extra day's recovery as the last eight tie will be the county's ninth championship match in the past 12 weeks.

After their preliminary quarter-final win over Louth, McGuinness said Donegal's schedule has been "gruelling".

In a statement from the county board, Donegal were critical of the decision to deny their request.

"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," the statement said.

"Match number nine comes this Saturday less than 12 weeks after playing Derry in the Ulster Championship preliminary round on 6 April.

"On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and full justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend," the statement continued.

"Donegal concludes that 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."

When contacted by BBC Sport NI, the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) said it "fully supports" Donegal's concerns.

"We have consistently communicated to the GAA that player welfare must be the primary consideration in the scheduling of all games," it said.

"This is not a new issue. The GPA has repeatedly raised concerns at Central Council about the burden of short turnarounds between high stakes matches, particularly in the wake of National League finals and the start of provisional competitions.

"It is also a key reason why we have lobbied for the removal of the current group stage format, which creates a 24-game structure to eliminate just four teams - an excessive load that places undue strain on amateur athletes. It's positive that the GAA has addressed that for 2026.

"However, it is disappointing that Donegal's formal request - based on legitimate player welfare grounds - could not be accommodated.

"We will continue to advocate for player welfare to be at the heart of all fixture decisions. That principle must not be compromised."