Saturday likely to be re-fixture date

The GAA will decide a re-fixture date for Saturday’s abandoned Allianz League match between Mayo and Dublin this morning after the game was abandoned at half-time due to heavy fog.

Informed sources suggested the game may be fixed for next Saturday evening at MacHale Park, Castlebar.

However, if next weekend is ruled out, the sides may not meet again until April due to the hectic schedule of club, colleges and inter-provincial games.

The meeting is also expected to discuss the issue of ticketing for the re-fixture.

A Mayo GAA official told patrons last Saturday evening at MacHale Park to hold on to their tickets for the replay.

However, as many supporters discarded their receipts while others claimed their tickets had been taken by stewards as they entered the stadium, there will be pressure on the GAA to allow fans in for free.

Meanwhile, despite the game not being completed, Dublin’s James McCarthy will receive a one match ban after his red card in the 23rd minute.

The Ballymun Kickhams defender was sent off by referee Marty Duffy after colliding with Mayo’s Alan Freeman as he attempted to break a tackle.

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy felt it was a harsh decision.

“I thought he [McCarthy] was just carrying the ball and I didn’t see him doing anything other than protecting himself. Mayo tackle hard and you have a right to protect yourself as far as I can see.

“I was on the other side of where the Mayo guy came in to tackle James so I couldn’t say for sure that it was a sending off.”

Mayo manager James Horan had a slightly different take on the issue.

“I genuinely didn’t see it. There were quite a few fouls when guys were trying to build up momentum throughout the first half so it was only a matter of time before the referee tried to stamp his authority on the game. And he did that.”

That the second half never got going was the right decision according to both managers.

Mayo, facing a 0-8 to 0-5 deficit at the break, had a man extra for the remainder of the game but as the freezing fog worsened Duffy was left with no choice.

“It was absolutely the correct decision,” said Horan.

“You couldn’t see across the pitch so if a ball was in the air it would have been very dangerous.”

Gilroy added: “It wasn’t safe out there, you couldn’t see one half of the pitch from the other end so it was the right decision, no question about it.

“But these things happen, you can do nothing about them.”

Connacht Council Secretary, John Prenty, who is a member of the GAA’s CCCC (Central Competitions Control Committee) was also involved in the decision to abandon the game.

“I don’t think there was any other option. Marty Duffy stood in the middle of the field and couldn’t see three of the corners of the pitch so there was no alternative but to call the game off.

“Player welfare was the number one priority. If the referee couldn’t see what was happening then he couldn’t referee the game. Player welfare was top of the list.”