Galway fury over timing of league final

Date Published: 14-Apr-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

A furious Galway Hurling Board is pleading with Croke Park to reconsider the 7pm timing of the National League final between the Tribesmen and Cork on May 2, ahead of the county’s final round robin clash against the same opposition at Pearse Stadium this Sunday (2:30pm).

The GAA fixed the late throw-in of the National League decider on Sunday, May 2, to avoid a clash with Munster’s televised European Cup semi-final against Biarritz in San Sebastian earlier in the day.

However, Galway Hurling Board Chairman Joe Byrne said the late timing of the early Summer GAA showpiece “is inappropriate” and showed little regard for parents and their children travelling to Thurles.Consequently, the Board has entered correspondence with GAA headquarters on the matter.

“It is not so much an objection as a letter to Croke Park from our County Secretary suggesting they look at alternatives,” Byrne told Tribune Sport. “We have suggested that this is an inappropriate time for the (Association’s) second biggest hurling final of the year.”Indeed, Byrne said the Hurling Board had gone to great lengths to promote the game throughout the Spring, using the National League home fixtures, in particular, to nurture the identity of Galway hurling among young people and their parents.

This initiative included allowing children to play hurling at Pearse Stadium at half-time at the home matches, free jersey offers, and making the players more accessible to sign autographs for children.

He believed, though, the timing of the National League final undermined the initiatives they had put in place, with the journey home from Thurles at such a late hour sure to discourage parents with young children from travelling.

“So, obviously, we are not happy with it, and that is why we are sending a letter to Croke Park,” continued the Hurling Board Chairman. “We have suggested alternatives – these are not demands – and they are to play the final at 1:30pm on the Sunday or move the final to the Bank Holiday Monday.

“If this is just to facilitate Munster supporters, then why is the Clare game (Division 2 hurling final) fixed for five o’clock. It is not as if Clare supporters can watch the match at home and then drive to Thurles. Of course, what time the Clare game is on at is none of our business, but surely when Clare are being asked to play at an earlier time, why not Cork and Galway?”

It is understood, though, that the GAA will not be changing the time, as the Central Competitions Control Committee had already explored the Board’s proposed alternatives – including playing the final on the Monday – before they made their decision. In any event, the All-Ireland U-21 football final has been scheduled for the Bank Holiday Monday.