Brighter outlook on the horizon

IRISH sporting organisations are cautiously optimistic regarding their fixtures for the next week as the cold snap begins to ease.

The GAA in particular will be praying for a rise in temperatures as all four provinces race to complete their pre-season competitions before the commencement of the National League next month. Munster Council GAA chiefs re-fixed yesterday’s McGrath Cup games to Thursday night but have contingency plans in place if the games don’t go ahead.

PRO Jim Forbes revealed: “If the games can’t be played on Thursday night we will play them on Saturday at 2pm with the winners going out in the quarter-finals, 24 hours later. It is not the ideal scenario but it is the only option available to us. We also plan to play the first round of our Waterford Crystal hurling competition Sunday.

“But again we will continue to monitor weather forecasts and conditions.”

Athletics Ireland have their first major weekend of activities for 2010 fixed for Nenagh next weekend with the Woodies DIY National Junior Indoor Championships on Saturday and the AAI Games on Sunday.

Athletics Ireland spokesperson Sinead Galvin said: “As the games are indoor, the venue wouldn’t be a problem but the issue could be accessibility for competitors and spectators. It looks like the weather is taking a bit of a change for the better. But if there is any doubt we will make a call later in the week.”

In soccer all matches scheduled for last weekend in the FAI Umbro Intermediate and Junior Cups were called off due to the weather but officials are hopeful they can get the games played before the end of the month.

FAI spokesperson Lynne D’Arcy last night explained: “The four FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup games due to be played at the weekend have been rescheduled for next weekend while it is hoped that the FAI Umbro Junior Cup fifth round games will be played in two weeks time. However we will continue to monitor the situation this week.”

Horse Racing Ireland spokesperson Tamarisk Doyle is cautiously optimistic that courses will be open for business.

“We are taking it day by day. We have racing planned for Thurles on Thursday and Friday while Naas is scheduled for Saturday. Hopefully with a thaw predicted by forecasters and temperatures rising we can get back to racing.”

There is unlikely to be any greyhound racing in Ireland again this evening with Clonmel set to have an early morning inspection to decide if racing can go ahead. The only other meeting scheduled for tonight was at Longford but it has been called off.

Cross channel the Premier League are expected to mount a vigorous defence if questions are raised over the decision to postpone the majority of matches over the weekend.

After the recent cold snap across the country only two matches went ahead, Arsenal’s draw with Everton and Birmingham’s clash against Manchester United, but television pictures showed the surrounding areas of Upton Park being clear of snow despite West Ham’s match with Wolves being scratched.

League officials will explain that matches were called off after police advice and while stadiums could be declared clear on the day, that may not be the case for roads around the venues. Clubs are now set to liaise on when to play the postponed matches, with league games the last in the order of priority after UEFA competitions, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup. Rescheduling is also complicated by an informal agreement with UEFA not to play matches on the same evenings as Champions League or Europa League clashes, although Fulham recently travelled to Basle on the same night as four domestic top-flight fixtures. Matches could be played on FA Cup fourth or fifth-round days between sides knocked out of the competition, and league officials also see spaces in the calendar on March 24, April 14 and May 5. With the season finishing on May 9, and no possibility of an extension, it could lead to a thrilling final week of the Premier League season when the depths of each squad is tested in the race for the title and the battle to stay in the league.