The cold weather has played havoc with hockey fixtures around the country once again this weekend, with UCC’s top-of-the-table clash with Cork Harlequins in the women’s Division one the highest-profile game to fall by the wayside so far.
A frozen Harlequin Park pitch meant the match was called off just 40 minutes before the scheduled 1pm hit-off earlier today.
The Irish Hockey Association yesterday moved to prevent teams from making expensive and fruitless journeys for Irish Trophy and Irish Challenge competitions, advising clubs due to play outside their province not to travel.
Six Irish Hockey League games – now down for decision tomorrow – a slew of domestic fixtures and the entire U16 girls interpros have all fallen foul of the weather in recent weekends, promoting the IHA to take pre-emptive action. Yesterday’s forecast of heavy rain followed by a severe frost copper-fastened the decision.
As a result, the men of UCC and Catholic Institute must wait to see if they can progress to the Irish Trophy semi-finals – earning themselves a slot in the revamped Irish Senior Cup in the process – at the hands of NICS and Suttonians respectively.
Ashton’s clash with Queens and Bandon’s visit to Three Rock in the women’s competition are also off, though Waterford’s clash with Catholic Institute may go ahead of the Newtown pitch is playable.
In round one of the men’s Irish Challenge, Limerick’s game with Down was effected by the ruling, while Clonmel, Tipperary and Mallow’s women also miss out.
A decision on whether tomorrow’s scheduled games – including the IHL refixtures – can go ahead will be made today.
