You’d have to question the legitimacy, and the need for these January competitions.
Donegal’s clash with Monaghan was called off seven minutes before the ball was set to be thrown in in Clones on Sunday.
Armagh and Derry’s McKenna Cup clash was scheduled for 2.00. It was pushed back to 2.30 at the last minute to give the frozen pitch a chance to thaw out. It was then postponed at 2.15.
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
Mayo and Galway’s FBD Connacht League clash was called off at 2.05. That was five minutes after the game was scheduled to take place in Castlebar.
There were 2000 supporters sitting in the stands when this decision was made. 2000 supporters who dedicated their whole Sunday to travelling to support their county. 2000 supporters. Some of them were kids who were buzzing to see their heroes in action. Some of them were adults with a grá for their counties who gave up their precious free time to come to Casltebar.
LATEST: FBD Connacht League match between @MayoGAA and @Galway_GAA has been called off due to a frozen pitch. Crowd of approx 2,000 in MacHale Park, Castlebar. #mayogaa #GAA pic.twitter.com/MHQpFHbvRQ
— Mayo News – Sport (@mayonewssport) January 7, 2018
And just as they took their seats, they’re told there would be no game going ahead today.
They weren’t refunded for their tickets either. They’re expected to do it all again for the re-fixture.
No refund given to fans who attended Mayo v Galway game in Castlebar. Game postponed at close to 2pm when it was due to throw in. It seems a ticket was given to fans for the re fixture #GAA #RTEGAA
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) January 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheMorg3/status/950019918719840256
Think of the players. These lads sacrifice and dedicate their whole week to making sure they’re in top shape for the weekend’s game. And then it gets called off at the very last minute.
Where’s the cop on in all of this? The forecast was for freezing temperatures up to -4 for Saturday night. Surely the decision could have been made to postpone these games last night.
Massive lack of cop on here. Match should have been called off last night or this morning. Was -4 last night. 2000 people sitting here for a match. #Classic https://t.co/XNNJnalqdL
— Enda Conway (@EndaConway) January 7, 2018
The unofficial pitch inspection (i.e. a walk around it) says there's no way in hell there's a match being played on this pitch today pic.twitter.com/mPYz8dLD4Q
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) January 7, 2018
A game was never going to be played in those conditions.
A wider issue; should we even be having these games at all? A host of teams pulled out of their respective pre-season competitions this year because they simply do not see the point in playing them.
It’s always the same in January. The second string players are given a ‘chance’ to stake their claims for a place on their county’s teams for the summer. But is it really a chance? Playing in the dirty conditions of a January Sunday.
The Allianz Leagues begin in February, isn’t that enough of a chance for them?
Because they’re not doing much good for anyone involved. Because scenes like this are unprofessional. They’re degrading and they’re a bit of a joke.
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/950013952439783424
What is going to happen now? Will they be played next weekend? Will they be forgotten about altogether?
