Games off again

National League games involving Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians and Bray Wanderers were last night postponed for the second time in 24 hours following a protest by Rovers to the original rescheduling.

The two matches, which had initially been brought forward from tonight to facilitate the preparations of Rovers and Bohemians for Friday's FAI Cup semi-final, had been returned from last night to their original slot because Bray Wanderers officials said they had not been given sufficient notice to ensure the availability of all their players.

At last night's meeting of the league, Rovers' chairman Joe Colwell insisted his club was not in a position to fulfill the fixture and so, assuming there is no replay required to settle the cup tie, the two games will take place next Tuesday night.

Speaking after the meeting a league spokesman said the decision had been taken by the league in order to avoid any further difficulties.

There was, however, a long heated discussion before a consensus was reached at the meeting. Representatives of at least one other club expressed displeasure at the way the issue was handled and Bohemians officials insisted they were unhappy at having to play Bray if the other match was not going ahead as scheduled.