Linfield’s Daryl Fordyce is leaving for Canada next month

HEAVY snow has hit Saturday’s Irish Premier League fixture list.

The first casualty of the wintry weather is the Danske Bank game between Donegal Celtic and Linfield on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, it was that Glentoran’s game at the Oval against Dungannon Swift has also been called off.

It has been postponed after a decision to call off the game at Suffolk Road was taken after a pitch inspection on Friday afternoon.

The decision could be a bit of relief for Linfield manager David Jeffrey who is now in search of a goalkeeper after Alan Blayney was ruled out for six weeks.

His woes haven’t been helped by the news that Daryl Fordyce and Albert Watson are both emigrating to Canada.

Jeffrey broke the news to Linfieldfc.com website on Thursday.

He revealed: “I have news to report about Daryl Fordyce and Albert Watson.

“Both players asked to meet me on the Thursday before the recent game with Coleraine,” he told Linfieldfc.com

“They then proceeded to advise me that they were both emmigrating to Canada during the first week of February.

“I advised the Team Committee on the day of the Coleraine game and I asked the two players to record their request in writing outlining their reasons and when and where they were going, so there could be no misunderstanding or ambiguity.’

“The matter was discussed at Monday night’s Board meeting and again at last night’s Team Committee meeting.

Albert Watson also leaving Linfield for Canada

“While I would never want to stop anyone from following their wishes in life, the one thing I would say is that the club receiving this news has left us in a difficult situation.

“However, as always, the club will go on,” added Jeffrey.

It is a hard pill to swallow for Jeffrey whose team have jumped up the table to third with only Crusaders and table toppers Cliftonville stopping Jeffrey lifting another league title.

The other five Premiership matches scheduled for Saturday afternoon are still on at present.

But fans are asked to keep up to date with club websites for the very latest information on the games.

Two Championship One matches have also been postponed – Carrick Rangers v Loughgall and H&W Welders v Coagh Utd.

Danske Bank Premiership – Saturday, 19 January (3pm)

Ballinamallard United v Glenavon

Coleraine v Lisburn Distillery

Crusaders v Ballymena United

Donegal Celtic v  Linfield (MATCH OFF)

Glentoran v Dungannon Swifts (MATCH OFF)

Portadown v Cliftonville

OTHER GAMES OFF ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19:

Belfast Telegraph Championship 1 Carrick Rangers v. Loughgall HW Welders v. Coagh United
Belfast Telegraph Championship 2 Killymoon Rangers v. Ballyclare Comrades Queen’s University v. Portstewart Sport & Leisure Swifts v. Ballymoney United
IFA Reserve League Dungannon Swifts Reserves v. Glentoran II Glenavon Reserves v. Ballinamallard United Reserves Linfield Swifts v. Donegal Celtic Reserves (Fri 18th) Lisburn Distillery II v. Coleraine Reserves

Harry Cavan Youth Cup (quarter-finals) Glentoran Colts v. Lisburn Distillery III Linfield Rangers v. Cliftonville Strollers (both the above games have been rescheduled for Saturday, 26th January, 2013 – kick-off 1:30pm)
IFA Youth League (Section B) Larne U18 v. Ards Youth