Struggle to find fix for fixture chaos

Details of this weekend's final round of the Allianz Hurling League have been delayed as the GAA's Central Games Administration Committee continue to deal with the chaos resulting from the postponement of the Division One A tie between Wexford and Cork because of a waterlogged Wexford Park.

Both counties have been consulted in an effort to find a suitable date, but so far those efforts have been in vain. With Division One A being delicately balanced, every effort is being made to play the game as soon as possible.

For now, the postponement means that the quarter-finals, scheduled for Sunday week, will have to be put off as well. They involve matches between the second and third-placed teams in the two sections of Division One and, with the final rankings completely up for grabs, no quarter-finals could be arranged.

It was initially hoped the tie could be played this week during the evening, allowing the final round to go ahead as planned, but Wexford don't have a floodlight venue, and aren't prepared to surrender that home advantage.

In football, the fixture problem concerning the Longford-Donegal tie in Division Two A is also still under discussion, but looks certain to be played in the middle of next week if agreement can ever be reached on a venue.

Longford have ruled out playing the game this weekend because of their under-21 team being in the Leinster final against Laois. The NFL concludes its programme of matches on Sunday week and the same problems relating to the hurling would apply if the fixture is left outstanding.

Meanwhile, Meath football got the news it was waiting for yesterday when Graham Geraghty agreed to return to the panel, and will recommence training next week. Geraghty met manager Eamonn Barry on Monday night following a four-week standoff.

Barry had alleged a disagreement with Geraghty after a challenge match against Antrim last month. The manager and the player were reported to have had a falling-out in the dressingroom after the game, and, as a result, Geraghty failed to show for training the following Tuesday.

After defeats to Wexford, Kildare and Galway, Meath have found themselves in relegation trouble in Division One B, and Geraghty's return is perfectly timed ahead of their final league match against Derry on April 9th.

WEEKEND UNDER-21 FOOTBALL

Saturday - Connacht Semi-final: Roscommon v Mayo, Roscommon, 4.30, M Duffy (Sligo). Munster Semi-finals: Waterford v Clare, Dungarvan, 2.0, D Cahill (Tipperary); Tipperary v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 2.0, R Hickey (Clare). Ulster Semi-finals: Tyrone v Antrim, Omagh, 2.0, D McQuillan (Monaghan); Armagh v Derry, Crossmaglen, 3.30, M Higgins (Fermanagh).

Sunday - Leinster Final: Longford v Laois, Longford, 3.0, C Reilly (Meath).