Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the year, has caused havoc with this weekend’s sporting fixtures.
A deluge of rain and strong winds has led to travel chaos with an amber weather warning in place until 9pm on Saturday night. Power cuts, blocked roads, suspended trains and cancelled flights are just some of the impacts currently being felt.
Unsurprisingly, sport has also been hit by the storm with five Sports Direct Premiership matches postponed.
The first major casualty of the day was the Premiership clash between Glentoran and Ballymena United at The Oval, which was postponed at 10.30am.
In a statement, Glentoran said: “This decision has been taken following a comprehensive assessment of the adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh. The combination of persistent heavy rain and strong winds has created conditions deemed unsafe for players, staff, volunteers, and supporters of both clubs. Details on the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course. All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture.”
Just down the road at Wilgar Park, the Championship clash between Dundela and Institute passed a pitch inspection.
However, Glenavon versus Crusaders at Mourneview Park was called off at 11.20am due to safety concerns.
In a statement, Glenavon said: “Unfortunately due to health and safety concerns because of Storm Darragh today’s game at home to Crusaders has been postponed.”
Loughgall versus champions Larne at Lakeview Park passed a pitch inspection at 11am, but was postponed at 12.15pm due to ‘adverse weather.’ Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers was the next to fall, postponed just 90 minutes before kick-off.
Then, just 70 minutes from kick-off, Dungannon Swifts versus Linfield was also postponed.
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern said: “Shambolic that our game is called of with some fans already at the ground and the rest on route. Questions need to be asked about why this call wasn’t made earlier.”
Coleraine versus Portadown is set to go ahead as planned with kick-off at 5pm.
In the Championship, Ballinamallard United were left frustrated that their game against Ards in Bangor was given the greenlight despite the difficult conditions.
In a statement, the Fermanagh club said: “Today’s match against Ards at Clandeboye Park is going ahead despite our club raising concerns to NIFL and Ards of the extremely and exceptional dangerous weather conditions that our players and management are expected to travel in.”
The match at Clandeboye Park has been delayed by 15 minutes to allow Ballinamallard extra time to travel.
Saturday’s Premier Intermediate League clash between Queen’s University and Banbridge Town at The Dub was the first Irish League game of the weekend to be postponed, with a decision taken on Friday afternoon. In the same division, Tobermore United versus Oxford Sunnyside, Warrenpoint Town versus Dollingstown, Knockbreda against Distillery and Rathfriland Rangers versus Moyola Park were called off on Saturday morning.
In rugby, Ulster’s flight to Toulouse on Saturday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s hotly anticipated Champions Cup opener against defending European and Top14 champions Stade Toulousain at the Stade Ernest-Wallon took off on time.
Meanwhile, the Giants took measures to ensure their away double-header over the weekend will take place, with a trip to face the Cardiff Devils on Saturday followed by a visit to the Coventry Blaze on Sunday.
The Belfast Telegraph understands that Adam Keefe’s side were due to travel on Saturday but, in order to ensure they could travel safely, scrambled to push their flights ahead to Friday and arrived in Cardiff the day before their game.
And in Gaelic Games, the Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Final is due to get under way at 3:30pm on Sunday when Kilcoo take on Errigal Ciaran at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh to conclude a competition that has already been beset by postponements.
Storm Ashley prompted the postponement of four county finals in October, resulting in significant fixture congestion, and this close to Christmas it would not be ideal for Ulster GAA to have to push back their flagship club game. There will be a pitch inspection in Armagh on Sunday morning ahead of the Senior Final.
In a statement to the Belfast Telegraph, Ulster GAA confirmed that the Ulster Club SFC is still proceeding as scheduled, however the Ulster Football Intermediate Club Championship Final between Arva and Ballinderry at Healy Park, Omagh has been postponed and refixed for Saturday 14 December at 5pm.