F&W League extended festive break by seven days

THERE will be no resumption of Fermanagh and Western League matches this weekend due to the continuing surge in Covid cases.

Clubs were scheduled to return to action on Saturday following a two-week festive break however the league’s governing body has decided to extend that by a further seven days.

A statement issued to clubs read, “I am writing to advise that the Emergency Management Committee of the Fermanagh and Western Football League have voted that there will be no Fermanagh and Western League fixtures on Saturday, January 8, 2022.

“This decision has been made following the surge in Covid 19 cases over the past few weeks.

“The Emergency Management Committee have voted that Fermanagh and Western League fixtures will be scheduled from Saturday, January 15, 2022.”

The statement added that Irish Junior Cup ties fixed for Saturday remain on as the cup competition Is run by the Irish Football Association.

“IFA fonaCAB Irish Junior Cup matches scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 8, 2022 will remain on as they fall under the jurisdiction of the Irish Football Association, not the Fermanagh and Western League.”

In the light of the developing Covid situation, it is understood that NIFL are to hold a virtual meeting with Danske Bank Premiership bosses in the coming day to consider a circuit breaker later this month.

Dungannon Swifts had six players unavailable for the visit of Linfield on Saturday due to the virus. They had five others missing due to injury and suspension but despite this they had to complete the fixture.

Manager Dean Shiels said they discussed having the game called off due to the injury crisis, but were told it had to be played.

“Eleven is big, with our squad, when you are playing the best team in the county. You want to be at full strength and put up more of a fight,” he added.

“But we were told the game goes ahead so we had to turn up and play and give it our all.

“It’s disappointing but there is a managers’ meeting this week about what the situation is – is it going to get better or improve?

“But we are turning up here with half a squad. We only had a handful of players at training on Thursday and we were told that the game is to be played, so we tried to put up a fight and get a result.”