Bad weather claims top NFL games

NFL returns
Laois' Brian McDonald (left) and Brian McCormack close in on Damien Byrne of Tipperary during their NFL Division 2B clash at Portarlington. The game ended in a draw.
(© Inpho)

The adverse weather conditions plaguing the countryside forced the postponement of many top games in today’s opening round of the National Football League.

A GAA official told RTEradio this afternoon that today's cancellations were "very frustrating" and "extremely unlucky".

The GAA hope to reschedule lost games for the weekend of February 23rd and 24th. A confirmed fixture schedule is expected by Thursday.

All four fixtures in Division 1A fell by the wayside and only one game - Down v Fermanagh - survived in Division 1B.

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That game had originally been fixed for Newry but was switched to Ballykinler earlier today.

The Fermanagh team had a scare en route to the ground after the bus they were travelling on shifted off the road after skidding on the treacherous road conditions. Nobody was injured.

Down 1-17 Fermanagh 1-13

Fermanagh started the game well and dominated in midfield through the excellent Paul Brewster.

Rory Gallagher’s free taking ability stood Dominic Corrigan’s side in good stead as he scored all Fermanagh’s nine points in the first half.

Down replied with four unanswered points to draw level at 0-9 to 0-9 at the break.

Down enjoyed all the possession in the second half and pushed home their advantage with fine strikes from Shane King, Shane Ward and Billy Coulter.

Fermanagh had Justin Gilheaney sent off early in the half and their misery was compounded soon after when Shane King squeezed a precise ball to Shane Ward who duly hammered it to the back of the Fermanagh net.

Gallagher scored a consolation goal for Fermanagh while Down had Michael McGill sent off for a second bookable offence late in the game.

Kerry 1-15 Wicklow 0-12

Wicklow - under the guidance of former Dublin legend John O’Leary - had a difficult opening against Kerry in Killarney.

Dara O'Cinnéide got Kerry off to a flyer after slotting the ball home following good approach work from Aodhan Mac Gearailt.

Noel Kennelly and 21-year-old newcomer John McGinley caught the eye during the first half with a range of scores that pushed Kerry further in front.

Wicklow replied with three Anthony Nolan frees but the full forward squandered two clear goal chances that could have fired O’Leary’s side back into contention. Kerry led 1-6 to 0-4 at the break.

Wicklow, who were without their Rathnew contingent, struggled to contain free flowing Kerry and failed to pick up the ever present Kennelly, who added a further three points to his tally to put the game beyond Wicklow’s reach.

RESULTS

NFL Division 1B
Down 1-17 Fermanagh 1-13

NFL Division 2A
Armagh 1-14 Louth 0-13
Kerry 1-15 Wicklow 0-12
Antrim 1-19 London 0-5

Division 2B
Laois 0-10 Tipperary 1-7
Wexford 0-10 Waterford 1-5

Walsh Cup SH semi-final
Kilkenny 0-16 Meath 0-10

Kehoe Cup SH semi-final
Wicklow 3-11 Carlow 0-13