Northern Ireland Football League Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor has taken responsibility for Saturday afternoon’s chaotic scenes.
All six Sports Direct Premiership games were postponed as Storm Darragh swept across Northern Ireland.
However, unlike some other sports leagues, NIFL did not announce a blanket postponement of all games. Rather, each fixture was dealt with on a case by case basis with input from the match referee and the home club’s safety officer.
The upshot was the matches at Solitude, Stangmore Park and the Coleraine Showgrounds were all postponed less than 90 minutes before kick-off with Irish League players and fans arriving at the grounds.
In the Playr-Fit Championship, all four games went ahead as scheduled despite the difficult conditions.
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Linfield chairman Roy McGivern branded the situation ‘shambolic’ while Sports Minister Gordon Lyons said the scenes were ‘unacceptable.’
NIFL Chief Lawlor responded on Sunday afternoon with a post on X: “On reflection we made decisions over the past 48hrs with the best intentions, we considered a number of factors, listened to many differing opinions from our member clubs, we tried to manage it & in hindsight it backfired.
“At the end of the day the buck stops with me, I take ownership, I apologise to anyone put out & have corresponded with our members today. We will put measures in place for the future to prevent a reoccurrence.
“This isn’t to grandstand or play to a gallery like some, I’ll never hide but as we say in NI “We …. up & accept it.”
The comment comes less than 24 hours after NIFL’s initial statement which read: “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.”
The confusion started on Saturday morning when a pitch inspection was called at The Oval for Glentoran’s clash with Ballymena United. The game in east Belfast was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, but the other five top-flight games 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.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, with sport part of his portfolio, lambasted NIFL.
He wrote on X: “Football clubs, players and fans across Northern Ireland have been left in an appalling situation today after they were forced to travel during an amber weather warning only to have matches called off at the last minute.
“This is totally unacceptable and the authorities must ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“Clarity could and should have been provided earlier in order to keep people safe and save time and money for everyone involved.”
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 at home to Dollingstown, Knockbreda against Distillery and Rathfriland Rangers versus Moyola Park were all 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.