McGrath Cup gets underway despite weather woe

FEARS remain that the provincial pre-season competitions may have to be scrapped due to adverse weather conditions, despite the first inter-county action of the year starting tonight with two preliminary round games in the McGrath Cup.

There had been three games slated for the Munster football competition tonight, but provincial chiefs have switched the tie between Kerry and IT Tralee to Saturday afternoon in Kerins O’Rahilly’s grounds in Strand Road, Tralee. The winners will have to be in action again 24 hours later with a quarter-final tie against Waterford. Limerick’s match against Waterford IT goes ahead tonight but it has been switched from the Gaelic Grounds to Staker Wallace grounds in Bulgaden in Limerick at 7.30pm. The other game between Tipperary and UL goes ahead in Dr Morris Park at 7.30pm.

There is still uncertainty in the other three provinces as to whether this weekend’s scheduled matches can take place. The Connacht Council meet tomorrow morning to decide if the first round fixtures in the FBD League will take place.