Midleton wouldn't play their rugby match against City of Derry today when they were allowed to do so and might be sanctioned by the IRFU, while most of the other AIL matches, many of them cross Border, will go ahead despite an outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the Republic.

Five teams from south of the border, Cork Constitution, Blackrock, Old Belvedere, Ballina and Highfield will go north to play and five from Northern Ireland, Ballymena, Ballynahinch, Malone, Bangor and Banbridge will travel south.

Three weeks ago the situation was not as bad as now yet sport was brought to a halt. It appears, at least in this weekend's rugby, to be making a lurch towards normality.

Either way, Midleton aside, science and common sense appear to be the losers. Goodwill may follow.