The Northern Ireland Football League has defended its decision not to call an early halt to all of Saturday’s league fixtures in the face of Storm Darragh.
A deluge of rain and strong winds led to travel chaos with an amber weather warning in place for most of Saturday. Power cuts, blocked roads, suspended trains and cancelled flights were just some of Darragh’s victims.
Another victim was the Sports Direct Premiership, with all six scheduled games postponed. In contrast, all four Playr-Fit Championship games started as planned, although Dundela against Institute was abandoned during the second half at Wilgar Park.
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern called the late postponement involving his club at Dungannon Swifts ‘shambolic’ while Ballinamallard United labelled the decision to greenlight their game with Ards in Bangor ‘dangerous.’
Rather than issuing a blanket postponement across all league games, NIFL allowed each game to be assessed on a case-by-case basis with input from the match referee and the host club.
A statement read: “NIFL have been in regular consultation with clubs since Friday morning regarding the ongoing weather situation and seeking advice and updates from clubs.
“While a small minority of clubs would have liked games postponed yesterday for different reasons, the overall majority wished to wait and make an informed decision this morning and with league rules and proper procedures and with consideration for sporting integrity with the close proximity of the transfer window.
“Five games (across the Premiership, Championship and Premier Intermediate League) have successfully went ahead today but unfortunately losing two games late is disappointing for everyone.
“Details for rearrangements from today’s postponed matches will be announced soon.”
While Glentoran’s clash with Ballymena United was called off in the morning after The Oval failed a pitch inspection, the other five Premiership fixtures were postponed due to ‘adverse weather.’
Glenavon and Crusaders fell at 11.20am, before Larne’s trip to Loughgall was postponed at 12.15pm.
Cliftonville versus Carrick Rangers was called off just 90 minutes before kick-off, while Dungannon Swifts and Linfield followed 20 minutes later when fans already arriving at Stangmore Park.
Linfield chairman Roy McGivern blasted: “Shambolic that our game is called off 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.”
The last to fall was the 5pm kick-off between Coleraine and Portadown at the Showgrounds, which postponed at 3.50pm.
Surprisingly, all four scheduled Playr-Fit Championship games started as planned, albeit there was a 15 minute delay at Clandeboye Park where Ards hosted Ballinamallard United.
The Fermanagh club were left frustrated by the decision not to postpone the fixture.
In a statement, the 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 game itself was marred by Storm Darragh, with the ball refusing to sit still for set-pieces.
Armagh City at home to Ballyclare Comrades and Limavady United against Newry City were played to conclusion, however Dundela versus Institute was abandoned 15 minutes into the second half after Wilgar Park’s floodlights failed.
In the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League, Queen’s University versus 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.
The only PIL game that was played proved to be an entertaining 2-2 draw between Coagh United and Portstewart at Hagan Park.
In rugby, Ulster landed in Toulouse on Saturday evening ahead of Sunday’s hotly anticipated Champions Cup opener against defending European and Top14 champions Stade Toulousain at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, quelling fears of a postponement.
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.
There will be a pitch inspection in Armagh on Sunday morning ahead of the Senior Final.
However, Saturday’s Ulster Football Intermediate Club Championship Final between Arva and Ballinderry at Healy Park in Omagh was postponed. It will now be staged on Saturday 14 December at 5pm.