Crusaders rest big guns ahead of Setanta Cup clash with Sligo
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Crusaders made whole sale changes to the side that defeated Sligo as they played out a credible one-all draw at home to champions, Linfield, at Seaview on Saturday.
None of the starting line-up that overcame Rovers in the first leg of their Setanta Cup semi-final featured as the Hatchetmen succumbed to a late equaliser which demonstrates how seriously Stephen Baxter views next Mondays clash with the Bit’O’Red.
A minor side show to the game has developed as Ian Barraclough was incensed that a doctor was not on hand to treat Jason McGuinness when he injured his shoulder in a clash with Timmy Adamson which caused the centre back to suffer shallow breathing.
“In the current climate, with a player dying in Italy (Livorno's Piermario Morosini) at the weekend and (the) Fabrice Muamba (incident) a few weeks ago, it is shocking that there was no doctor at the game.
“We have to make the game as safe as possible and I think that everything that has happened in the last few weeks should have tightened things up” the Sligo manager told the Belfast Telegraph.
The Crusaders chairman Stephen Bell responded by saying that the club pays for an ambulance to attend all home games and the club were proud of their record in dealing with medical emergencies at their ground.
“Under our licensing rules you must have either a doctor or an ambulance on hand at all times. We don't have a club doctor, so instead we pay for an ambulance to be at all of our games.
“The ambulance was in attendance at the Setanta Cup semi-final and the medic worked on Jason McGuinness once it was brought to their attention that oxygen was required. Some people complain about the club licensing system but I think this is an example of how it has helped make our grounds safer. We are actually one of the few clubs that has a defibrillator and all our stewards are trained first aiders. We pay £180 per match for an ambulance to attend, which is a lot for an Irish League club, but it's something we don't mind paying for as the players’ health has to be a priority.
“You have to be prepared to deal with all sorts of injuries and I'm proud to say we are.”
Sligo will look to overturn a two goal deficit in a game that will be televised by Setanta Ireland. Extratime.ie will carry live updates.
