Portlaoise were forced to concede a walkover to Longford Slashers in the Leinster LGFA Senior Club Championship yesterday due to a clash with their Laois Minor Championship final.

Portlaoise had sought to have the minor decider against Sarsfields charged from 5pm, but a vote on the matter was narrowly defeated on Saturday night. There are five players on both the senior and minor panels who would have been expected to play two games 50 miles apart at 2pm and 5pm.

The minor final went ahead as scheduled and saw ‘The Town’ lose on a 2-6 to 3-7 scoreline.

“Unfortunately, as a result of Laois LGFA meeting tonight, Portlaoise senior ladies have reluctantly decided to withdraw from the Leinster Club Championship tomorrow,” the club said in a Facebook post on Saturday night.

“The senior ladies have a number of players who are on both panels and a few of these would have been due to play tomorrow in both games.

“We find this to be unacceptable and no consideration has been given to player welfare.

“Our senior ladies are adamant that our minor players should not be denied the opportunity to play in a minor final – the pinnacle of underage club football. This is the reason for senior team withdrawal.

“This is a hugely disappointing decision – not taken lightly.

“We fervently hope all Portlaoise supporters attend COE tomorrow and support our minors in their final at 5pm, and also our senior hurlers in their huge game in OMP at 1.30pm.”

 

🚨 PORTLAOISE LGFA STATEMENT 🚨

Unfortunately, as a result of Laois LGFA meeting tonight, Portlaoise senior ladies have reluctantly decided to withdraw from the Leinster Club Championship tomorrow.

The senior ladies have a number of players who are on both panels and a few of pic.twitter.com/kgAelW48HQ

— Portlaoise GAA (@PortlaoiseGAA) October 21, 2023

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