Snow joke as icy conditions cause chaos to sporting calendar

THE weather continues to cause havoc with sporting fixtures in Ireland and England.

Two of tomorrow night’s Magners League clashes have fallen foul of the icy conditions. Connacht’s clash with the Dragons fixed for the Sportsground is off, as is the meeting of Ulster and Ospreys at Ravenhill.

However, Munster rugby chiefs admit that Thomond Park is on standby should Musgrave Park be deemed unplayable for Sunday’s visit of the Scarlets.

Connacht’s hopes of reaching the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals have been dealt a big blow by the postponement. This will mean that Michael Bradley’s side will go into their crucial Amlin Challenge Cup game against Montpellier on the back of having two games called off, with the Leinster tie also falling victim at the weekend.

Bradley admitted: “It is not ideal but it is something we have to deal with. The lads are mad keen to get out and play. This is what they do for a living and they need the physicality of a game. They get a bit anxious when they are not playing. Mentally, we will need to keep the lads on track and get as much rugby in as we possibly can. But we will get on with it and at this stage the Montpellier game becomes the primary focus,” added Bradley.

Munster rugby chiefs issued a statement ahead of the planned meeting with the Scarlets in Cork on Sunday.

Spokesperson Pat Geraghty said: “If Musgrave Park is deemed unplayable, Thomond Park is the back-up venue for this game subject to it being passed as playable. Munster Rugby officials are closely monitoring both the weather forecast and the condition of the pitches at both venues, with every effort being made to ensure the match goes ahead in Cork as planned. Protective covers are being laid at both venues on Wednesday. Pitch inspections by the IRFU Referee Department will go ahead at both venues on Friday and Saturday afternoon. If the decision is taken to move the game, information will be posted immediately on the Munster Rugby website, circulated through the media, with direct communication by email to Supporters Club members, season ticket holders, clubs, schools and supporters who have bought tickets online or by telephone. This communication will include information on using your match ticket for this game in Thomond Park or a refund policy if unable to attend or travel.”

The Ulster game was called off following a pitch inspection by the IRFU yesterday which deemed it unplayable. Despite being covered by plastic sheeting, Ravenhill was pronounced unplayable early yesterday due to a frozen surface, and a heavy flurry of snow around the Belfast area in the afternoon exacerbated the situation as well as making surrounding terraces dangerous. At present officials at Ulster are attempting to procure industrial heat blowers from various sources around the UK in order to make sure the following Friday’s Heineken Cup game with Edinburgh does not fall foul of the unusually long cold spell.

An Ulster spokesperson said: “With the weather hitting England and Scotland harder than in Ireland, trying to source equipment is proving difficult with Premiership football and rugby clubs already snapping up appliances.”

The Turf Club has announced that the fixture scheduled for Punchestown on Saturday has been cancelled due to a heavy covering of snow on the course and an adverse weather forecast for the coming days.

The course at Leopardstown remains unfit for racing ahead of the scheduled fixture on Sunday due to a covering of snow on the track. The situation at Leopardstown will continue to be monitored.

Today’s meeting at Thurles was also a casualty.

Cross channel, the efforts of Arsenal staff proved in vain when last night’s Premier League game against Bolton was called off four hours before kick-off.