Ripple effect of a 5pm throw-in

There’s been quite a debate about the proposed 5pm throw-in for the All-Ireland senior hurling final replay, and not just for the inconvenience.

That shouldn’t be overstated, of course. Someone coming from Bantry or Miltown Malbay to support their county on Saturday week faces a pretty unpleasant trip home in the pitch dark, no matter what time Cork-Clare (Mark VI, is it?) finishes. A game that throws in at 5pm doesn’t finish until the guts of 7pm; if you parked out by the Red Cow you’re talking about the bones of 8pm before you sit back in and point the motor south.

Then there’s the potential sight of an All-Ireland final being played under floodlights, at least in part.