Westmeath slam Kilkenny's refusal to fulfil Walsh Cup game, Derek Lyng says player safety number one.

Cats management took decision not to play Sunday's game on 3G pitch

4 January 2026; Referee Rory Hanley, left, Westmeath manager Kevin O'Brien, centre, and Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng walk the grass pitch that was deemed playable, but unavailable, before the cancelled Dioralyte Walsh Cup First Round match between Westmeath and Kilkenny at St Loman's GAA club in Westmeath. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Westmeath have reacted angrily to Kilkenny’s “clear refusal” not to fulfil Sunday’s Walsh Cup fixture in Mullingar.

On the advice of their medical team, the visitors chose not to play the game after it was rearranged for the 3G pitch at St Loman’s Lakepoint grounds as the original venue, The Downs’s Breedon Kevin Molloy Park, was unplayable.