A sombre weekend is in prospect with the cancellation of GAA games as well as major rugby, soccer and equestrian events. Urban dwellers have been asked to stay out of the countryside to minimise the risk of a foot-and-mouth outbreak in the Republic.
The Minister for Sport, Dr McDaid, yesterday called on Mr John Treacy, chief executive of the Sports Council, to highlight the IRFU's example in postponing the Ireland versus Wales international in seeking the fullest co-operation from sports governing bodies.
Officials from soccer's FAI and National League will consult this morning on the implications of the Government's call to suspend sporting fixtures across the State.
Virtually all equestrian fixtures have been called off in response to the disease threat. The Irish Pony Club suspended all its activities on Tuesday and both the Show Jumping Association of Ireland and Eventing Ireland followed suit, following on the cancellation of all hunting and point-to-point racing.
The Minister said the sports bodies were being urged to monitor foot-and-mouth developments in Britain "on a continuing basis". A large question mark hangs over March 17th parade arrangements, as the chairman of the St Patrick's Day Festival Committee, Mr Feargal Quinn, convenes a meeting today to review all the options.
Fine Gael has downgraded its ardfheis to a conference for Dublin party activists. The Central Fisheries Board has called on anglers to "refrain immediately" from sea and freshwater angling until further notice and no permits will be issued for State fisheries.
The IRFU has postponed its All-Ireland league matches at club level - about 30 matches spread over four divisions including eight Division One games.
The GAA has suspended all major activities for the weekend. This includes the All-Ireland club semi-final between Sixmilebridge in Co Clare and Graigue-Ballyscallan, Co Kilkenny. The entire senior national hurling league programme has also been cancelled, along with the Sigerson Cup (universities) weekend scheduled for Sligo.