THE LEINSTER Minor hurling championship clash between Meath and Laois scheduled for Páirc Tailteann, Navan, on Saturday evening was called off in bizarre circumstances.

Laois arrived at the Meath county ground at 5pm but after waiting three-quarters of an hour for admittance learned the game had been switched to Boardsmill, 20 miles farther on.

Laois management, after consulting with officers of the Meath hurling board, refused to travel to Boardsmill, arguing their players had been on the road since 1.30pm and it was unfair to expect them to travel farther.

After consultations with the Leinster Council the referee left for Navan, only to learn the Meath team were refusing to travel.

Meath chairman Barney Allen spoke with his Laois counterpart, Brian Allen, and agreed to instruct the Meath officials and players to go to Navan, where the game would start an hour late.

Having waited in the Navan O'Mahoney's ground until 6.45pm, the Laois team and management were informed Meath would not in fact be travelling.

Laois learned from locals Páirc Tailteann had been closed for reseeding ever since the National League final between Dublin and Westmeath.

The matter will be dealt with by Leinster Council this week.

The winners were scheduled to play Carlow in the Leinster quarter-final.