Five games were postponed on Sunday.
Frozen pitches around the country wreaked havoc for players, supporters and managers in the weekend’s pre-season GAA games.
With temperatures reaching as low as -5 on Saturday night, it was no surprise that pitches were unplayable around the country the next day and five games fell victim amid disappointing scenes.
The decision to postpone the Mayo-Galway clash in Castlebar was made at 2.05pm, which was five minutes after the ball was supposed to have been thrown in.
What happened in Castlebar is the worst https://t.co/9fheU5tuk3
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) January 7, 2018
2,000 supporters were already sitting in their McHale Park seats when they found out. They left the stands only to find out they wouldn’t be refunded their entrance fee into the game, but instead would have to queue to receive a ticket for the rescheduled clash.
How wouldn’t they be disgruntled after that? Many of them had sacrificed their whole day to make the journey, and may not be able to do so on Friday for the fixture.
There were similar scenes in Clones, with Monaghan and Donegal postponed seven minutes after the scheduled throw-in.
The #BOIMcKennaCup fixture between @monaghangaa and @officialdonegal has just been officially called off following a pitch inspection (announcement made 7 minutes after the scheduled throw-in). Plenty of disgruntled fans, some with a long journey home. pic.twitter.com/4l9fVn46kA
— Shane Hannon (@ShaneHannon01) January 7, 2018
And again in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
Imagine travelling from Derry to Armagh to then find out the game is called off 5minutes before, ridiculous #ArmaghGaa
— Scott Winters (@swinters1905) January 7, 2018
The games that were postponed have now been re-fixed, and here are the details.
- Mayo v Galway: Friday 12 January, Castlebar, 7.30pm
- Donegal v Monaghan: Sunday 14 January, Clones, 2pm
- Armagh v Derry: Sunday 14 January, Armagh, 2pm
- Down v University of Ulster: Sunday 14 January, Burren, 2pm
- Sligo v Leitrim: Wednesday 17 January, Venue TBC, 7.30pm
Before these games, however, there will be more McKenna Cup and Connacht FBD League games taking place this Wednesday which means Mayo have a 48-hour turnaround.
Connacht FBD League – This Wednesday.
- Roscommon v Sligo, Wednesday, 7.30, Kiltoom, Sligo
- Mayo v Leitrim, Wednesday, 7.30, McHale Park, Castlebar
McKenna Cup, Ulster – This Wednesday, all throwing in at 8.00.
- Cavan v Tyrone, Kingspan Breffni Park
- Antrim v St Mary’s, Woodlands
- Derry v Down, Celtic Park
- Armagh v Ulster University, Athletic Grounds
- Monaghan v Queen’s University, Castleblaney
- Donegal v Fermanagh, Ballybofey
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