JERSEY’S under-18 tri-nations football tournament, featuring Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, will be played out under a different format after the opening match was frozen off last night.

Despite strenuous efforts, including switching the Springfield fixture between Jersey and the Republic to a snow-free Les Quennevais, falling temperatures meant last night’s fixture was unplayable due to frozen goal areas.

The upshot of that, after many possible permutations were discussed, means the tournament will now involve four sides – Jersey now being represented by two teams – and be played out over the next two nights.

The winners of tonight’s Springfield fixture between the two Irish sides will face Dave Walsh’s Jersey U18s tomorrow, also at Springfield.

• Picture: The Republic of Ireland squad trained at Les Quennevais last night, after frozen goalmouths led to the match against Jersey being called off.