Kilkenny and Westmeath was due to take place at the weekend in the Walsh Cup, but because of the conditions the game was called off last minute.
Westmeath weren’t happy with this decision and made their feelings be known in a statement below ..
Official Statement – Westmeath GAA
Westmeath GAA issues the following clarification in relation to the Walsh Cup Round 1 fixture between Westmeath and Kilkenny GAA.
See comment below pic.twitter.com/QjCMeqoiFL— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) January 4, 2026
On Saturday 03/01, Westmeath GAA, as the home county, formally nominated Dovida Lakepoint Park (3G pitch) as the alternative authorised venue for the above fixture, in the event that the originally designated venue, Breedon Kevin Molloy Park,
was deemed unplayable due to prevailing weather conditions. Following an assessment at 12 noon, Breedon Kevin Molloy Park remained unplayable as a result of frozen conditions.
In accordance with competition regulations and standard fixture protocols, the match venue therefore defaulted to the nominated alternative venue, Dovida Lakepoint Park (3G).
Kilkenny arrived at Dovida Lakepoint Park at the appointed time. However, their management subsequently decided not to fulfil the fixture, declining to warm up or commence the match and withdrawing from play.As a result of Kilkenny’s failure to fulfil the fixture at the nominated authorised venue, the match did not take place. Westmeath trained and completed an in-house challenge game in adherence to match-day preparation requirements.Westmeath GAA considers Kilkenny GAA’s actions to constitute a clear refusal to play a properly scheduled and authorised fixture, despite every reasonable and practical effort having been made by Westmeath GAA to facilitate the game in difficult weather conditions.Westmeath GAA rejects any suggestion that responsibility for the non-fulfilment of fixture rests with the organising authority or with Leinster competitions, and reserves the right to seek clarification,outcome determination,or furtherreviewundertherelevant competitionregulations
If the management deemed the astro turf unsafe for players it’s the right decision to call it off.