IT proved an inauspicious start to Galway’s hurling year in a biting-cold Newbridge last Sunday.

For the plug was pulled on the Tribesmen’s opening round Walsh Cup against Kildare only 45 minutes before the rescheduled throw-in time of 2pm.

A healthy number of Galway supporters had made their way to St Conleth’s Park to see an experimental line-up represent the county.

Players like Cian Daniels of Tommy Larkins, Paddy Mac Cárthaigh of Sarsfields, Aaron Niland of Clarinbridge, Oisin Lohan of Skehana/Mountbellew-Moylough and Ciaran Leen of Craughwell were about to make their debuts at this level.

It might have been early January and only playing against the minnows of Kildare, but for these players and their families the occasion represented a big deal.

Understandably, the Galway camp was left irritated by the late decision of Kilkenny referee Owen Beehan to deem the pitch unplayable, with time constraints ruling out the proposal to move the fixture to an all-weather surface in Leixlip.

Given the heavy overnight frost, there was always a strong chance that matches would fall by the wayside and though Galway were aware that their game was vulnerable, regular bulletins from the Co Kildare suggested the clash with Kildare would probably go ahead.

On arrival at the venue, however, Micheál Donoghue and his management team knew the fixture was in trouble. The grass was bare, the ground was heavily sanded and the surface was hard.

In blunt terms, there was an increased risk of injury and that meant the game had to be called off. It was a disappointing outcome and made for a long fruitless and expensive journey for Galway.

Donoghue articulated his annoyance afterwards. “It was a wasted journey and hugely frustrating. Everybody knew the impending weather for the last couple of days and, in fairness, our officials have been making representations over that period about the likelihood of the game going ahead.

“Ourselves, we left this morning, pulled into Athlone where we got word it was 50/50, but we were still told to come. That’s the disappointing part.”

Donoghue accepted that it was 100% the right call. “Players’ safety is paramount and half the pitch was like a rock. I still think the decision could have been made a lot earlier.

“These days you have to be meticulous in your planning. The lads who weren’t here today have already done a session and got something out of the morning. Now, we have to go looking for a venue to do something. It’s just frustrating as everybody was looking forward to a game.”

Team Coach Francis Forde also accepted that underfoot conditions were unsafe but bemoaned the losing of an opportunity to run the rule over some of their newcomers.

At least, Galway had the consolation of winning the toss to see which team would advance to the Walsh Cup semi-finals – they host Offaly in Ballinasloe on Sunday (2:30pm).

The Galway versus Kildare fixture wasn’t the only Walsh Cup fixture to fall foul of the weather as the games between Offaly (coin toss winners) and Antrim, and Westmeath (coin toss winners) and Kilkenny were also cancelled.

Pictured: Rival team managers Micheál Donoghue of Galway and Brian Dowling of Kildare reflecting on the decision to call off Sunday’s Walsh Cup fixture in Newbridge due to an unsafe surface. In the background is Galway Hurling Committee Secretary, Damien McGrath. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.