Heavy rain and strong winds leads to sporting fixtures falling by the wayside

AFTER the majority of sporting fixtures were wiped out last weekend by Storm Dennis, fixture makers across the country, in all codes, will hoping there will no further delays to what already is a busy time of year.

However, the outlook does not look good as some forecasters are predicting a third storm named Ellen is on its way this Saturday and Sunday. What is clear though is that heavy rain is expected to hit the country again on Friday, which could lead to localised flooding.

If so, this will have a major impact on pitch availability once again and, by extension, the large volume of sporting fixtures scheduled for the coming days.

The two big games at the weekend involved Galway’s senior hurlers and footballers, with Galway senior footballers due to face Mickey Harte’s Tyrone at Tuam Stadium on Sunday (2pm) and the hurlers to travel to Waterford on the same day.

Traditionally, the pitch in Tuam Stadium has been one of the best grounds in the county to absorb the inclement weather but even it has to be struggling to cope with the series of heavy downpours that have already taken place this week. The back-up option will be to bring the game into Pearse Stadium, a pitch that has benefitted from the drainage work carried out there in recent years.

With their National Hurling League fixture against Tipperary called off last weekend, Galway hurlers will be anxious that this weekend’s clash against Waterford goes ahead at Walsh Park. Indeed, they will hope the sunny south-east lives up its name!

Locally, there are a plethora of fixtures down for decision, including the first round of the County Hurling League — Divisions 1, 2 and 3 — on Saturday and Sunday. However, some of those fixtures are already in doubt with most clubs having had to close their pitches due to the weather this week.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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