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Tipperary football coach David Power said “the integrity of the league is damaged” after Leitrim gave Down a pass.
On Saturday, Leitrim contacted Down GAA to say they would not comply with their Division 3 match at Newry due to a “lack of game numbers available for travel.”
Leitrim’s last game is against Tipp this Sunday and they are hoping to complete the campaign and have a chance to stay on their feet.
However, Power questioned whether that game can go ahead.
“I think the entire integrity of the league is damaged after what Leitrim did,” he said after watching his own team take an important step to avoid the fall by beating Offaly at Semple Stadium.
“There was no mention of how many cases or anything like that. I thought it was very, very bad to be taking a walk.
“If I were [third-placed] Derry I would also be very, very upset because it not only affected the bottom of the league, but it certainly affected the top of the league. I think there are a lot of people very disappointed by what happened.
“At the end of the day we will go to Leitrim, but if they are isolated the rules are 14 days, how are they going to be able to play next weekend?”
Read more:
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‘Leitrim was right to take his time and reflect’
In a statement, Leitrim attributed the transfer to “the greater health situation” and expressed his hope that they can present a team against Tipp.
Power suggested that they could have done more to form a team.
“It is disappointing that that happens,” he added.
“It is after leaving a very, very bitter taste in the mouth of many people for that to happen at the inter-county level. We are after having had a lot of problems over the last two weeks. We had close contacts and were fortunate that there were no cases positive.
“But Fermanagh [who lost 10 players due to the coronavirus] that i know i went down with 18 men to clare [they ultimately had a panel of 26]Are you telling me that Leitrim couldn’t get 15-20 players to play Down? “
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