Walkovers were awarded in almost 10 per cent of matches in the All-County Football League – but 2018 showed a marked improvement.
In total, there were 529 games played and 50 walkovers awarded, 28 of them in the reserve divisions, CCC secretary Declan Martin reported to last night’s annual convention in Donegal Town.
Overall, the figure is down from 18 per cent in 2017, but almost 30 per cent of reserve and third team games weren’t played in 2018.
One walkover was awarded in each of Division 1 and Division 2; nine were awarded in Division 3 and two in Division 4.
“We have seen a marked improvement in the amount of walkovers recorded in the county this year,” fixture planner Edward Molloy said.
“The steady decline in the number of matches taking place is still a worrying trend. The CCC have done tremendous work as usual this year in getting nearly all the fixtures played as per schedule.”
In relation to reserve football, it was notable that the reserve divisions are the biggest culprits for the non-playing of games.
“We have a problem with reserve football,” Bundoran delegate Gerry Breslin said.
“Teams are going up Divisions and into games that they have no chance of winning. It cannot continue this way. It is doing no favours.”
