THE LEINSTER Council made the inevitable decision yesterday to postpone all their weekend fixtures, but the Munster and Ulster Councils are waiting until this morning before deciding if their club football finals at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick and St Tiernach’s Park in Clones can go ahead as planned on Sunday.
The positive for Kilmacud Crokes is the suspension of Adrian Morrissey will have been served by the time they play Rhode in the Leinster club final.
In an attempt to avoid a fixture logjam, Kerry champions Dr Crokes and Nemo Rangers of Cork could yet see their match switched from Limerick to Mallow.
The Ulster Council will either play the game between Crossmaglen Rangers and Donegal’s Naomh Conaill in Clones, or postpone again. Currently, the pitch in Clones is covered in snow. A final call is expected early today.
There is more hope in Munster, though sections of the Gaelic Grounds pitch are frozen, which could force a switch in venue for the eagerly-anticipated meeting of Dr Crokes and Nemo. “We are doing a pitch inspection tomorrow at 10.30am and a decision will be made then,” said Munster Council secretary Pat Fitzgerald. “We also have another ground on standby, but will also have to inspect this if we are considering moving there.
“Limerick has not suffered the worst of the weather, however, a small portion of the ground under the shadow of the stand usually does not thaw out properly so it is this we are looking at. I cannot be sure of a replacement venue, and have not discussed it with the relevant people.”
The Mallow GAA sports complex is the venue on standby. This ground can hold 8,000 spectators, it is floodlit and has an artificial pitch. The only concern would be the access of supporters to the venue due to the potentially treacherous surrounding roads.
“We were open to Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Killarney being tossed for as the venue, but the Munster Council’s initial choice was Mallow and they may now get their wish,” said Dr Crokes manager Harry O’Neill. “It is not really a problem to us. A football field is a football field after all.”
The Leinster hurling final was fixed for Carlow, where Oulart-the-Ballagh were to play O’Loughlin Gaels, with the football in Portlaoise, where Kimacud were to meet Rhode. Both have been postponed until next weekend. Details will be confirmed on Monday.
With the Dublin football squad due to fly out to Dubai on December 12th, it seems that the Crokes players on the panel – including Rory O’Carroll, Cian O’Sullivan and Niall Corkery – will have to to sacrifice the trip.
Postponed Leinster Club Matches
Leinster SHC final at Carlow:Oulart the Ballagh v O Loughlin Gaels. Leinster SFC final at Portlaoise:Kilmacud Crokes v Rhode. Leinster IFC final at Ballymore:Ballymore v Nobber. Leinster JHC final at Rath:Drumcullen v John Lockes. Leinster Special JH final at Navan:Wolfe Tones v Fingallians.
