Steelstown Brian Ógs club doctor expresses 'deep concerns' about player welfare as Ulster Ladies insist provincial semi-final must go ahead

Dr Canavan, an emergency department consultant in Altnagelvin, has written to the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) to warn of her concerns for the welfare of the Steelstown players who are expected to play an Ulster semi-final just three days after their quarter-final victory and potentially fulfil three fixtures in the space of seven days should they defeat Cavan champions Castlerahan/Denn in Mullagh tonight. (Throw-in 7.30pm.).

She claims the fixture congestion increases the risk of muscle injuries by 20% and allows for insufficient recovery time between matches, stating the players' welfare has been 'completely neglected' by the association's decision.

Having played their quarter-final in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal on Sunday and travelled to Cavan today (Wednesday), the Steelstown club will be forced to cover almost 400 miles in the space of a week should they make the decider in Healy Park, Omagh this weekend.

In a letter addressed to the LGFA, Dr Canavan, who also provides medical cover for the Northern Ireland Ladies team, claimed the Steelstown ladies players were 'angry', 'upset' and 'emotional' after the LGFA's decision which she claims ignores the medical risks and also the ethical code of its own organisation.

"Instead of watching players celebrate a fantastic win, I witnessed players upset, angry and emotional," she said. "Some players are carrying injuries and, with only three days to recover, it became apparent that they may not be able to play in an Ulster semi-final.

"As a medical professional, I have researched the impact of playing three games in a week, in terms of recovery and injury risk, and I am more than happy to forward on the research paper."

The letter, written on behalf of the club, continued: "This is a particularly important factor for a number of our players who have recently undergone surgery and, admirably, completed the long and demanding rehabilitation journey.

"As the governing body to these women, having been put in place to protect them, you are now putting them at risk. I would also like to draw your attention to the LGFA document on 'Fixture planning and reviewing' in which it states that 'games in the same grade should be scheduled at least five days apart'.

"Surely, these guidelines had player welfare in mind, so why are they being completely disregarded in this situation?"

Dr Cananan concluded her letter by requesting a 'formal explanation in writing' by Tuesday.

Those concerns apparently fell on deaf ears, however, as the LGFA ruled the match would go ahead as scheduled stating that; 'Ulster Ladies fully appreciate the complexities of dealing with fixtures at this time of year'.

An official statement from the LGFA read: "Following on from the Ulster Executive meeting on Tuesday 1st November 2022, with the three remaining Intermediate Championship club, Castlerahan/Denn, Derrygonnelly and Steelstown it was decided after much discussion that the fixtures will remain in place as previously set out by Ulster Fixtures on Tuesday 25th October.

"We would like to thank the three clubs for their input and understanding in dealing with this matter. Ulster Ladies fully appreciate the complexities of dealing with fixtures at this time of year. "We wish the three clubs the best of luck in the upcoming fixtures. Ulster Ladies will be making no further comment on this matter."