Uncertainty still surrounds venue for O'Byrne Cup final January 19, 2018





O'Moore Park Portlaoise O'Moore Park Portlaoise

There is still a possibility that Sunday's O'Byrne Cup final between Westmeath and Meath could be moved from Portlaoise to Mullingar.

The Leinster Council has this afternoon issued a statement confirming that the final will be switched to TEG Cusack Park in the event of O'Moore Park failing a pitch inspection on Sunday morning. This is, of course, dependent on the pitch in Mullingar being playable as it's due to host an All-Ireland club JFC semi-final between Knocknagree and Naomh Colmcille tomorrow.

In the event of both pitches being unplayable, the match will be postponed and refixed for the weekend of February 17/18.

Both Westmeath and Meath are against the idea of travelling to Portlaoise to play the final, with the Royals even threatening to boycott the game in the interest of player safety. It will be preceded by the All-Ireland club IFC semi-final between An Ghaeltacht and Moy and there are concerns that the pitch will be left in a poor state for the second game with heavy rain forecast for the weekend. TG4 are also committed to showing the game live if it's in Portlaoise.

Pairc Tailteann is unavailable to stage the final as it's hosting the All-Ireland club JHC semi-final between Ardmore and Setanta on Sunday afternoon.

The statement reads as follows: "The match is currently fixed for a 4pm throw-in at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise as part of a live TG4 double-header broadcast with an AIB All-Ireland Intermediate club football semi-final between An Ghaeltacht and An Moy Tír na nÓg preceding it at 2pm.

"However, given the adverse weather conditions that are forecasted for the Midlands on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the following procedures are in place.

"A pitch inspection will take place at O'Moore Park at 9.30am on Sunday morning to determine if the pitch is playable and also capable of hosting two matches.

"In the event that this is not the case the possibility of switching the game to TEG Cusack Park will be considered. However, this would be dependent on the pitch in Mullingar being playable having hosted an AIB All-Ireland club junior football championship match on Saturday featuring Knocknagree v Naomh Colmcille.

"Pairc Tailteann is ruled out due to the fact that there is an AIB All-Ireland club junior hurling championship semi-final being played there at 2pm on Sunday featuring Ardmore v Setanta and there are no floodlights to enable the staging of a 4pm throw in.

"In the event that there is no playable pitch, the match will be postponed and refixed for the weekend of February 17/18.

"Any changes will be posted immediately via local and national radio, leinstergaa.ie and Leinster GAA social media channels."

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