Westmeath GAA has issued a statement in which it hits out at Kilkenny for their "clear refusal to play a properly scheduled and authorised fixture".

The statement was released after yesterday's Walsh Cup opener between the counties was cancelled at the last minute after Kilkenny refused to risk injury by playing on the 3G pitch in St Loman's. Cats boss Derek Lyng told KCLR: "It's fine, you could do a few drills there and things like that, but I was speaking to our medical team and everybody else and I have to take the advice on board. Number one is player safety.

"I had a good discussion with the referee, and he completely agrees, and the decision has been made."

The game was originally fixed for The Downs, but after that failed a morning pitch inspection due to the freezing conditions, it was switched to the 3G pitch at Dovida Lakepoint Park. It's believed that Kilkenny were willing to play on the main grass pitch at the Mullingar venue, but this option wasn't available to them.

As it turned out, it was one of three Walsh Cup ties which failed to go ahead yesterday - the results of which were determined by coin tosses. In this instance, Westmeath won the coin toss, meaning Kilkenny will now enter the Walsh Shield.

Outlining the sequence of events that led to the postponement and the farcical scenes which saw Kilkenny players warm up on a gravel area before returning to their dressing-room to tog in, the Westmeath GAA statement read: "Kilkenny arrived at Dovida Lakepoint Park [3G pitch] 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 further review under the relevant competition regulations."

 

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

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