NFL Div 3

[Shamrock Shore]

Shamrock, any idea who the Longford make uisce with number 2 on the back...was patrolling the stand sideline...never stopped roaring...was it Donnellan from Galway who is involved?

Aye Qwerty - John Donellan, ex-Galway, has a coaching role.

Be interesting to see when Louth v Westmeath can happen...looks a bit of a mess but 'm not surprised as that pitch in Drogheda is a disaster zone.

[The Boy Wonder]

Does anyone know why it was not possible to reschedule the postponed Louth-Westmeath match for yesterday or today ?
This was done with Clare-Meath in Div2 yesterday.

Round 7 matches are all fixed for same time, 2pm, next Sunday and all finals schedule for following weekend.
I'm guessing the postponed Louth-Westmeath match will be played next weekend and Round 7 games in Div3 the following weekend

[Shamrock Shore]

Problem there Boy Wonder is that the Div 3 final is supposed to be in Croke Park on Sat 30th.

Has to be played somewhere under lights on Wed. Cannot allow the final round of games, with so much on the line for 3-4 teams chasing promotion, to drift.

I don't think there is any mix of results on Sun that would make the Louth v Westmeath game a dead rubber which could be quietly ignored.

[Owenmoresider]

Problem there Boy Wonder is that the Div 3 final is supposed to be in Croke Park on Sat 30th.

Has to be played somewhere under lights on Wed. Cannot allow the final round of games, with so much on the line for 3-4 teams chasing promotion, to drift.

I don't think there is any mix of results on Sun that would make the Louth v Westmeath game a dead rubber which could be quietly ignored.

Wins for Down, Laois and Longford would take care of that I think. Should still be played anyway even if it's just to give panel members a run-out.

[Laois Rising]

If Louth's pitch was not deemed playable for any day over the weekend why was game not moved to a nominated neutral venue. Surely the onus is on Louth to provide a playable pitch-every other county in Ireland was able to do so over weekend. When this could not be facilitated move game accordingly.

[Shamrock Shore]

It seems it was nothing to do with the pitch but player work commitments.

Good few Gardai on the teams so they were not available with parades etc.

Anyway we'll know later today what happens.

[Aristo 60]

A totally amateurish    turn of events!

[The Boy Wonder]

The consequences of the decision to long-finger the Louth-Westmeath has been highlighted on Hoganstand and elsewhere
- this match could possibly decide the top 2 positions and in that situation either Louth or Westmeath will have nothing to play for.

Scenario 1:  Louth, Longford and Laois win next Sunday
                  Westmeath would have nothing to play for in postponed game and a Louth win would deny Down promotion

Scenario 2:  Down, Westmeath and Laois win next Sunday
                  Louth would have nothing to play for in postponed game and a Westmeath win would deny Laois promotion

Longford would also be in the running for promotion if they beath Westmeath next Sunday.
The CCCC will be praying that results next Sunday will render Louth-Westmeath match meaningless, otherwise objections could be on the cards.

The Louth-Westmeath match should have been scheduled prior to completion of Round 7.

[Mourne Rover]

Every county should have been informed at the start of the league that any postponed fixtures needed to be re-scheduled at the first possible opportunity. The reasons put forward by Louth and Westmeath for not fielding on Sunday the 17th and the holiday on Monday the 18th were less than compelling and they should then have been instructed that Wednesday the 20th was the only other option. If Louth genuinely did not have any venue under floodlights available to cope with what would have been a fairly small attendance, a neutral ground needed to be nominated. We are now left in a position where either Louth or Westmeath, or possibly both, may go into a stand alone game with the huge advantage of knowing exactly the result they must achieve for promotion. There is also every prospect that the D3 final will be delayed until April, a month which was supposed to be reserved for club matches. It all looks like a poor example of forward planning.

[shark]

Every county should have been informed at the start of the league that any postponed fixtures needed to be re-scheduled at the first possible opportunity. The reasons put forward by Louth and Westmeath for not fielding on Sunday the 17th and the holiday on Monday the 18th were less than compelling and they should then have been instructed that Wednesday the 20th was the only other option. If Louth genuinely did not have any venue under floodlights available to cope with what would have been a fairly small attendance, a neutral ground needed to be nominated. We are now left in a position where either Louth or Westmeath, or possibly both, may go into a stand alone game with the huge advantage of knowing exactly the result they must achieve for promotion. There is also every prospect that the D3 final will be delayed until April, a month which was supposed to be reserved for club matches. It all looks like a poor example of forward planning.

It's a mess. But opposing a re-scheduling for the 17th or 18th (at 24/48 hours notice) was perfectly valid. This is an amateur sport. For example, I know that the Westmeath team has a number of Garda - who were down to work both days.
Wednesday night seemed like a reasonable night to re-schedule for - no idea why that didn't happen.

[Shamrock Shore]

It's only Div 3 lads - the big bananas don't care about us.

Betcha this wouldn't be tolerated in Div 1 or 2.

I did ask people I know in Longford Co Board that they insist that final Div 3 games cannot proceed without the Louth Westmeath game being played first. However not sure how that panned out 

That said, looking forward to the trip to Mullingar on Sun. It will be a game played at championship intensity.

[Rossfan]

It's just an oul Leinster (rest of ) League so like ye're Championship no one cares in GAA top brass.

[Aristo 60]

Which the Ulster men will win!

[Croí na hÉireann]

If Louth didn't have a venue last Sunday morning the game should have been switched to Westmeath if a neutral venue couldn't be quickly arranged. Not like the counties are the opposite ends of the country from each other either. HQ knew games would be in doubt that weekend so should have made contingency plans, particularly with the state of the pitch in Drogeda in mind. The referees's calls in the second half of division 3 matches could be very topical next week.

[Bord na Mona man]

It's only Div 3 lads - the big bananas don't care about us.

Betcha this wouldn't be tolerated in Div 1 or 2.

It wouldn't happen to elite counties because their players don't work full time jobs.