National Day Of Mourning: Sporting organisations postpone fixtures

SOCCER: The FAI have declared their full support for the Government's call for a National Day of Mourning following the tragic events in the United States.

The association have called on all their affiliates, league and club to show their support for the move and have requested that all football activities scheduled for tomorrow be suspended for that day. The offices of the FAI will also be closed tomorrow.

The Eircom League have announced that all Premier and first division matches scheduled for tomorrow night have been postponed.

GAELIC GAMES: The GAA president Seβn McCague expressed his sympathy on behalf of the association and its membership to the victims of the atrocities perpetrated in New York and Washington, and to the people of America generally. McCague also welcomed the Government's gesture of sympathy and support to the American people and that the GAA would be a full participant in tomorrow's National Day of Mourning.

It was announced that Croke Park would be closed tomorrow as a mark of respect and McCague requested GAA offices countrywide to follow suit. He said he was also asking that games programmed for tomorrow be rescheduled and that flags be lowered to half mast.

RUGBY: The Celtic League match between Munster and Cardiff, fixed for tomorrow evening at Thomand Park, has also been postponed and is now likely to be played on Saturday. Confirmation of the new kick-off will be known today.

GOLF: A statement from the president of the Golfing Union of Ireland, William Black, has, on behalf of the Golfing Union of Ireland and the clubs and golfers of Ireland, extended heartfelt sympathy to the people of the United States and particularly to those who have suffered the loss of relatives, friends and loved ones in acts of mindless savagery.

As the Irish Government has declared Friday a National Day of Mourning and, as a mark of respect, the offices of the Golfing Union of Ireland and those of the provincial branches in Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster will all close for the day.

RACING: The race meeting at Downpatrick fixed for tomorrow has been postponed to Saturday, September 15th, with the first race at 2.30 p.m.

As a mark of respect, the registry office of the Turf Club will remain closed for business all day tomorrow with the exception of the entries and declarations department.

BASKETBALL: The Irish Basketball Coaching Conference scheduled for this weekend has also been postponed. FAA restrictions around US airspace are preventing key speakers Dennis Wolff and Bobby Cremins from travelling to the conference.

The conference has been rescheduled for April 6th/7th and a new schedule will be issued in the near future. People planning to attend the conference will automatically be reserved a place at the April conference. However, refunds are available if preferred from the IBA office.