Donegal have confirmed they have pulled out of Sunday's McKenna Cup semi-final against Monaghan.
The teams were due to meet for the second time in a week at Brewster Park in Enniskillen. But Donegal say they do not have enough available/fit players to field a team against Monaghan this weekend.
The statement below was issued by Donegal GAA shortly after 9pm on Thursday night, confirming their withrdrawal from the competition:
"CLG Dhún na nGall have formally written to the Ulster CCCC to withdraw from their scheduled Dr McKenna Cup semi-final next Sunday afternoon in Brewster Park, a decision not taken lightly and one which we regret having to reach but player welfare is paramount.
Much higher than anticipated attrition of players due to injuries and illness, particularly a flu virus, has let to this regretful decision – at last night’s McKenna Cup match we were only able to tog out 23 players out of the possible 26 and three more players picked up injuries during that game and will be out of contention for the next fourteen days. From a player welfare perspective it would be wrong to ask them to tog out if not fully recovered.
Donegal have 13 players involved in Sigerson competition games on Sunday and combined with injuries/illness we are in a position that we physically do not have sufficient fit players for the semi-final. Nor are we able to dip into our under 20 squad as the team is playing Roscommon on Saturday in the Leo Murphy Development Cup.
We always hold the Dr. McKenna Cup in the highest regard, would very much like to participate in this semi-final and very much regret having to withdraw."
The decision means Monaghan progress to the McKenna Cup final on January 18th. Down play holders Tyrone in the other semi-final this Sunday at the Athletic Grounds (2pm).
