Change of date for Meath's meeting with old rivals Cork

NFL fixture moved to avoid St Patrick's Day parade

Meath's National Football League Div 2 fixture against Cork, which was due to be played on St Patrick's Day at Pairc Tailteann, 1.45pm, has been switched to Saturday, 16th March, 2pm.

The original fixture would have clashed with the St Patrick's Day parade in Navan but the traffic mayhem that would almost certainly have resulted has now been avoided.

Based on the advice from the Gardai both counties were content to bring the game forward 24-hours.

"We have regular meetings with the Gardai regarding event control measures for all our games at Pairc Tailteann," explained Co Board chairman Jason Plunkett.

"This clash was something that was highlighted a few weeks ago with our events controller Jim Lane.

"We pushed it up the ladder to Croke Park and they worked with Cork and Meath to have the game changed. There was a few other games changed also.

"We only got word last night to confirm it had been changed to the 16th at 2pm. It's the most sensible move."

If Meath defeat Cavan at Breffni Park on Sunday and Cork on the 16th (and other results go their way) Colm O'Rourke's team would go into their final fixture against Donegal at Ballybofey on Saturday 23rd March, 7pm with confidence high and promotion a real possibility.