Postponing game the only sensible decision – Fitzgerald

DAVY FITZGERALD applauded a victory for “common sense” in referee Alan Kelly’s decision to postpone the Wexford-Kilkenny Allianz Hurling League Division 1A game scheduled for Innovate Wexford Park yesterday.

“It’s the right decision, it’s about safety,” said Fitzgerald after Kelly made his call on the basis of what he called “dangerous” conditions following torrential rain.

“I’ve looked at it and there’s surface water on the field and I just think there’s no point. It’s not about just rushing to get games played.

“That doesn’t make sense. So the right decision, 110 per cent.”

Kelly made his call approximately 40 minutes before the 2pm throw-in, admitting he had a duty of care to the players.

Fitzgerald agreed, insisting: “It (the standing water) wasn’t just inside the 21s, there’s more. I was out on it, there’s more. It’s pretty much all over the field. I just think it would have been too dangerous, that’s being honest.

“I think we’re due rain for something like the next three hours or something, so it’s just not conducive to hurling. I know we’re tight with time and fixtures, but I just don’t think we need to do this. That’s my view.

“We’re going training now, over across to St Peter’s College. We’ll have a few light pucks.”

Asked if he’d discussed the conditions with Kilkenny manager Brian Cody, Fitzgerald replied: “No we didn’t need to. I think common sense would tell you what the story is.”

Cody’s reaction to the postponement was impassive. He said: “I haven’t even seen the pitch to be honest. Alan Kelly came in and told us that it looked bad. It’s his call. There is nothing we can do about it.

“It obviously pushes everything back a week so we’ll see what happens.”

Asked if the postponement had upset Kilkenny’s programme, he replied: “No, absolutely not.”