Weather stops play

Sport has been severely hit by Storm Desmond.

With more heavy rain and very high winds forecast, governing bodies took the decision to postpone fixtures yesterday when a red weather warning was issued.

All non-essential travel is being discouraged this afternoon and the safety of competitors and supporters has been the major factor in the decisions.

All Football fixtures today and all Hockey matches over the weekend have been called off.

All Rugby games are now postponed as Douglas, Ramsey and Vagabonds have been unable to travel from the Island this morning to fulfill National League commitments.

The National Sports Centre in Douglas suffered major damage in the floods - the sports halls, astro pitch, squash centre and bowling facility have been badly affected.

Education Minister Tim Crookall says the NSC staff were really upset to see the devastation with facilities set to be out of action for several weeks:-