The opening fixture of the 2022 intercounty season fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic after Sunday’s McGrath Cup encounter between Waterford and Clare was postponed on Friday evening.

The football clash was set for a 1.30pm throw-in at Walsh Park but Munster GAA announced that the game was postponed due to a number of Covid-19 cases and close contacts among the Waterford panel, who were also suffering injury isssues among their panel.

The first scheduled intercounty fixture will now be the meeting of Leitrim and Sligo at the Connacht Air Dome in an FBD Football League quarter-final next Tuesday at 6pm.

Wednesday will see the meeting of Kerry and Limerick in the McGrath Cup at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, with a 7pm throw-in.