Páirc Uí Chaoimh expansion not justified

Recently, I went early to Páirc Uí Chaoimh with a threefold purpose: (1) to watch a couple of senior hurling matches involving four clubs with a decent record of success to their credit, and, hopefully, be entertained by them.

(2) to pick out one of the timber benches that still remain in situ in the uncovered section since Mickey Horgan constructed the stadium, so that I could sit in comfort for the afternoon, and (3) to enjoy the brilliant sunshine. Boy, was I disappointed on all three counts.

I was prevented from gaining admission to the uncovered stand, and denied the chance of sitting in the sun. Instead, along with all other patrons, I was forced to sit in an uncomfortable bucket-seat in the covered stand, where the heat was drained from me as I watched the shadow lengthening across the pitch as the day worn on. To cap it all, the standard of the first game was so poor that I didn’t wait for the second one, and returned home to watch the camogie final on TV.