Meath games postponed 'until further notice'

Meath's quest to achieve success in minor football and hurling competitions will have to be put on hold for the moment after Croke Park announced that inter-county games at u-17 and u-20 levels are to be postponed "until further notice."

The Royal County chalked up a highly impressive 1-15 to 0-7 victory over Dublin in their opening round of their Leinster MFC campaign at Pairc Tailteann last Saturday and were due to take on Westmeath next week but now that is put on hold.

Meath minor hurlers were also scheduled to take on Wicklow in the Peadar O Liathain Cup semi-final on Saturday but this too will not now take place as the battle against Covid-19 continues.

GAA officials in Croke Park discussed the issue this morning as to whether the under-age games should go ahead and are believed to have sought further clarification from the government before making their final decision.

A postponement of minor and u-20 games looked most unlikely as the All-Ireland u-20 football final between Dublin and Galway which was due to be played this Saturday had been called off.

The postponments are a huge disappointment for the Meath management teams and the players, especially after the footballers' outstanding performance against Dublin.

The PRO of Meath GAA Ciaran Flynn said it would be extremely disappointing that the underage games will now not take place for the immediate future at least. He was hoping the games could go ahead if only for the benefit the players receive from participation in these competitions.

"The players at that level are still involved in education attending schools and sport is a huge part of that education. Participation in sport provides a huge benefit to these young players, a very important outlet. It gives them something to look forward to and focus on.

"The inter-county championships are run on a much stricter basis than the club championships, it's a step up in everyway. Everyone involved is taking very careful precautions and ensuring the regulations are adhered to in every respect."

Meath minor footballers were due to play Westmeath next with the tie scheduled to be played, behind closed doors of course, in Ashbourne on this day week, Wedneday 28th October.