‘Sell it that this will suit us’ – How does a team prepare when a game is postponed?

"Even if you know in your heart of hearts there is a chance, you have to tell them it is 100% going ahead. You prepare them fully. Ultimately until you get the call it is off; you plan that all is well."

HOW TO PREPARE: The first response is frustration. The second is to check with players, then it is on to finding a pitch. Every year GAA matches suffer because of the weather. Every year managers scramble for an appropriate response. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The first response is frustration. The second is to check with players, then it is on to finding a pitch. Every year GAA matches suffer because of the weather. Every year managers scramble for an appropriate response.

Dr Crokes, Errigal Ciarán, Coolera-Strandhill and Cuala have had an extra week to prepare for their All-Ireland club semi-finals after the initial fixture was rescheduled. The clash of the Kerry kingpins and Tyrone champions was already scheduled for Portlaoise but on Wednesday it was moved to Newbridge. Errigal Ciarán boss Enda McGinley said he was glad it was sorted early. That can otherwise form part of the initial irritation.