Tuesday's Munster Minor Hurling Championship match between Waterford and Clare in Fraher Field was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The decision was made just twelve minutes before throw in as both teams went through their warm ups out on the field. No supporters were allowed to enter the ground.
"Very disappointed," Waterford boss James O'Connor told WLR Sport. "We were ready to go and looking forward to it and it was called off fifteen minutes before the start. I thought it was a bit late in the day to be calling it but it is what it is."
Referee Peter Carroll explained his decision to both managers. "He said there were a number of patches down by the stand which were unplayable. He was afraid that if anyone got injured, he wasn't going to be held responsible for it. In his view, it wasn't playable."
Clare manager Brian O'Connell explained to WLR Sport that his team departed early for Dungarvan. "We left around half 1, got something to eat in Clonmel on the way down so it's a long day! Ultimately, the ref thought it wasn't going to be safe for the players and that's his call and it falls on his shoulders so you have to respect that."
He was also disappointed with the late postponement. "We were geared up, we knew what was happening elements-wise, we knew what the pitch was like an hour and a half before we arrived and we were a bit suspect at the time. I don't know what changed in the hour and a half. A little bit late I think, the call. Just disappointed that we didn't get to play because our lads were ready for it and up for it. We just have to replan again and park it."
Munster GAA will refix the game with Friday or Saturday a possibility. "We'll have to figure that one out because we're down to play Cork on Tuesday night (April 18)," O'Connell said. "Playing Saturday and then playing Cork Tuesday night isn't going to be ideal for us. We need to just have a chat with the Munster Council and see how this is going to fit in. Preferably Friday but even that might be a bit too close. With the lads off school, there's no excuses for getting their rest and refocusing for whenever it is."
