Glenavon FC's Irish Cup Quarter-final game against Loughgall is set to go ahead today at Mourneview Park after some outstanding efforts from fans to make the pitch playable.
The club put out an urgent appeal for fans to help clear the car park, stands and pitch of snow after Storm Emma laid siege to the country and fans responded in style, using snow shovels, wheelbarrows, leaf blowers, brushes and even cars to take on the task.
Current situation @Glenavon_FC pic.twitter.com/QI7O8aD9Z1
— Gareth Savage (@Gareth_Savage) March 3, 2018
Finished up at Mourneview Park at 2:30am trying to give every chance on the Irish Cup game going ahead. Back at it at 8:30am. @Glenavon_FC @TaggartJoel @BBCSPORTNI @liam_beckett @NIFL_Football @ pic.twitter.com/ke4OVooibp
— Moira Equestrian Centre (@PaddyAl83) March 3, 2018
The current cold snap ensured that virtually all sporting contests in Ireland were postponed including GAA, League of Ireland and Pro14 games.
Speaking to Balls.ie, Gareth Savage broke down the lengths fans went to in order to get the pitch playable.
Yesterday there was a call for support and volunteers to come up help clear snow for the game at 3pm on Saturday. Fans were there until 2.30am on Saturday morning including manager Gary Hamilton. They then returned in numbers on Saturday morning at 8am, to clear snow, help the pitch thaw and make it playable, with the help of cars all over the pitch. The first pitch inspection was at 11am, got given another 90 minutes to thaw. Second inspection at 12.30pm and got the go ahead for the 3pm kick off.
There is no doubt it was a superb effort from all involved, the game will go ahead at 3pm.
