Storm Kathleen leaves Sheffield Steelers fans stranded

A group of ice hockey fans were left stranded in Northern Ireland at the weekend after flights were cancelled because of Storm Kathleen.

Eleven Sheffield Steelers supporters flew to watch their team play two games against Belfast Giants.

But their attempts to get home on Sunday were thwarted when strong winds caused the cancellation of two flights.

They arrived home safely on Monday - although one of the group admitted the trip had been a "headache".

Dean Quartermaine said the group had been "left to their own devices" at Belfast City Airport after the cancellations, before eventually transferring to Dublin Airport to catch alternative flights home.

Storm Kathleen brought strong winds to the UK over the weekend, with events cancelled, trees down and power outages.

Thousands of people were delayed by the storm with flights, rail services and ferries affected.

Mr Quartermaine, a tutor at Sheffield College, said his group had to spend around £150 each extra on food, drink and accommodation.

They also had to cover the cost of travelling to Dublin.

He said with no Aer Lingus staff at Belfast City Airport, he felt the airline had not "covered themselves in glory".

Aer Lingus told the BBC the Steelers fans' flights were cancelled because of "disruption in our schedule".

Meanwhile, a coach tour from South Yorkshire was stranded on the Isle of Man after the ferry home was cancelled because of the storm.

Dave Mills, of Yorkshire Rose tours in Barnsley, said his passengers arrived home at around 02:30 BST on Tuesday after paying for two extra nights in a hotel.

"People enjoyed the first night but by the second they were ready for home," he said, adding that most were "tired but in good spirits" by the end of the journey.

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