All NECSL games off tonight

Incoming Storm Betty has claimed its first sporting casuality of the weekend with all of tonight's North East Counties Schoolboys/Girls League games postponed.

On a statement on their website the NECSL confirmed the postponement of all games.

"Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow Weather Warning for Today, Friday, the 18th of August 2023. Between 1800-2100 on Friday night is forecast to be the worst weather of the warning.

So, as a result, ALL NECSL Activity is cancelled tonight. Credit Union Plus Coaching Leagues and Competitive Fixtures are cancelled tonight."

Two Status Orange wind and rain warnings have been issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford, as Storm Betty is set to hit the south of Ireland this evening.

A Status Orange rain warning for the seven counties came into effect at 1.04pm and will be in place until 11pm.

Met Éireann said there will be heavy rain with thundery downpours, combined with very strong winds on coasts at times.

A separate Status Orange wind warning for the same counties will be in effect from 9pm until 3am tomorrow.

Met Éireann said Storm Betty will bring gales with severe gusts of up to 130km/h with the potential for structural damage, falling trees, travel disruption, power outages and localised and coastal flooding.

Status Yellow alerts

Widespread heavy rain and thundery downpours will sweep across the country, with spot flooding and travel disruption possible, amid three separate Status Yellow alerts.

A Status Yellow rain warning for Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Galway is in effect until 3am tomorrow, with heavy rain and thundery downpours expected.

Another Status Yellow rain warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo is in effect until 3am tomorrow.

A Status Yellow wind warning will also be in operation for Leinster and Munster from 9pm tonight until 6am tomorrow, with gusts of up to 110km/h forecast.