Late call-offs 'totally unacceptable' - Lyons

Gordon Lyons criticised the late postponements on Saturday

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says late postponements in three Premiership games on Saturday left fans in an "appalling situation".

All six matches were called off because of Storm Darragh although Linfield's game against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park and Coleraine's home encounter with Portadown were postponed just 70 minutes before the scheduled kick-off.

The match between Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers at Solitude was postponed just 15 minutes earlier.

Many supporters of the clubs involved had already travelled to the venues.

"Football clubs, players and fans across Northern Ireland have been left in an appalling situation today after they were forced to travel during the amber weather warning only to have matches called off at the last minute," Mr Lyons said on X.

"This is totally unacceptable and the authorities must ensure this doesn't happen again. Clarity could and should have been provided earlier in order to keep people safe and save time and money for everyone involved."

Linfield chairman Roy McGivern has slammed the late postponement of his side's game against Dungannon.

Amber weather warnings for high winds caused by Storm Darragh had been put in place on Friday.

"Shambolic that our game is called off with some fans already at the ground and the rest on route," said McGivern on X.

"Questions need to be asked about why this call wasn't made earlier," he added.

Ongoing consultation

A Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] spokesperson said consultation had been ongoing with clubs in recent days.

"NIFL have been in regular consultation with clubs since Friday morning regarding the ongoing weather situation and seeking advice and updates from clubs," the spokesperson revealed.

"While a small minority of clubs would have liked games postponed yesterday [Friday] for different reasons, the overall majority wished to wait and make an informed decision this morning and with league rules and proper procedures and with consideration for sporting integrity with the close proximity of the transfer window.

"Five games have successfully gone ahead today [across NIFL's three divisions] but unfortunately losing two games late is disappointing for everyone. Details for rearrangements from today's postponed matches will be announced soon."

'Extremely frustrating'

Lorna Smyth was one of 33 Linfield fans travelling on a private bus to Dungannon and says the late postponement was "extremely frustrating".

She added: "Other matches were called off at 11:00 this morning - our bus was booked for 12:00. There was absolutely no information put out so we all left.

"[We're] out of pocket, £370 for our bus alone. We have kids on the bus as well, elderly people, sick people who travel far and wide for Linfield. Here we are left disappointed and out of pocket.

"It's a kick in the teeth - they could have stopped this. They could have done something about it. They could have said at 11 o'clock when they were cancelling other matches, that this match is cancelled as well but they chose not to for some reason."

Another Linfield supporter was notified that the game was off five minutes before reaching Dungannon.

"At least a wee bit of earliness would have probably helped the situation.- I don't know why the decision was only taken at 1.50.

"I know that the referee has to take that decision, but I think it's just a bit too late for travelling fans coming from all over the country. They should have said all matches are off today because of spectator safety, that sort of thing."

Portadown board member Dave Wiggins was also disappointed after their late postponement against Coleraine.

"The most difficult thing is the expense of the whole day - it's a day wasted for people. The club have paid for buses, supporters clubs have paid for buses.

"It's just so disappointing and unnecessary. Nothing really changed between last night and 4.00 this afternoon so why could this match not have been called [off] much earlier - the weather warning was there."