Sport:Three more race meetings have been cancelled today while two Magners League matches were called off as the country remains firmly in the grip of an arctic freeze. Saturday's racing at Navan and meetings scheduled for Punchestown and Clonmel on Sunday have all been cancelled.
The Turf Club carried out inspections on all three courses this morning and they were deemed to be unfit for racing due to the heavy covering of snow at the venues. With more snow on the way, and no sign of a thaw any time soon, a decision was taken to cancel the meetings.
There will be some racing in Ireland over the weekend with the Turf Club moving Friday’s card at the all-weather track in Dundalk to Sunday. While the track is fit for racing, a decision was taken to move the card amid concerns for racegoers travelling to and from the course.
With the icy blast set to continue, the sporting calendar is in danger of being virtually wiped out this weekend. Connacht have already announced tomorrow night’s Magners League clash with Aironi has been postponed and advised the Italian club not to travel.
A pitch inspection at the Sportsground this morning revealed a frozen playing surface leaving the province little option but to call the match off.
“We are bitterly disappointed to have to call off the match but the pitch is unplayable at the moment,” explained chief executive Gerry Kelly.
“We are also conscious of the dangers travelling fans would face and though the forecast is for slightly milder weather tomorrow, with no guarantees of a thaw we could not run the risk of leaving a decision any later with respect Aironi’s travel arrangements.”
Ulster had been due to meet the Dragons at Ravenhill tomorrow night but that match has also been postponed with no sign of the freezing conditions easing up in Belfast.
Munster, who have already moved their clash against Cardiff forward by two and a half hours on Saturday evening in a bid to beat the elements, are hoping that contest will go ahead as planned at Thomond Park.
Leinster travel to Wales to meet Llanelli and, with under soil heating installed at the Parc y Scarlets, expect the match to take place.
The All-Ireland league fixture list has also been decimated with all matches in Connacht and Leinster postponed. The Munster and Ulster branches will wait until tomorrow morning to make a final decision.
In GAA, the Leinster club hurling and football provincial finals have both been postponed following pitch inspections in Portlaoise and Carlow. Both matches have been rescheduled for Sunday, December 12th.
The Leinster hurling decider between O’Loughlin Gaels and Oulart-The Ballagh is now on its third date having already been deferred from last Sunday by the snow and frost. The football final between Kilmacud Crokes and Rhode is now also pushed back a week.
No decision is expected until tomorrow morning from the Ulster Council regarding their already rescheduled football final this Sunday between Crossmaglen Rangers and Naomh Conaill in Clones, but it may be brought forward by 24 hours.
Officials in Munster are more hopeful that the football decider between Dr Crokes and Nemo Rangers in Limerick will go ahead as planned.