The National Ambulance Service was aware there'd be a delay in getting to an injured soccer player in Monaghan "due to a busy schedule".
There was an almost three-hour wait for an ambulance to arrive and treat the Cavan Monaghan Underage League goalkeeper on Friday evening.
The National League U17 meeting of Cavan-Monaghan and Longford Town was abandoned just before half time when local goalkeeper Sam Clarke sustained a serious injury.
An FAI spokesperson confirmed to Northern Sound News that the ambulance service informed the official who called in the emergency at 8.20pm that the ambulance arrival would be delayed due to a busy schedule.
A number of calls were made to the emergency services seeking an update, before an ambulance finally arrived at 11.05.
It's reported that the ambulance had to come from Sligo to the Gortakeegan pitch.
In the almost three-hour wait, Clarke was treated by the club physio, who monitored his condition along with other club officials.
In a post on social media, Cavan-Monaghan Underage League confirmed their keeper Sam Clarke is recovering after undergoing an operation on Sunday morning.
The team wished him well and thanked everyone on the night who assisted.
The FAI added that the player's well-being is their primary concern and it wishes him well in his recovery.
When questioned on the reason behind the ambulance delays, the HSE yesterday told Northern Sound News that it can't comment on individual cases as it would breach patient confidentiality and GDPR laws.
