O’Byrne pleads for calm at Friday move for finals

BASKETBALL Ireland’s chief executive Bernard O’Byrne has appealed to its clubs “not to go to war” over the Superleague National Cup finals’ move to a Friday night.

The governing body changed a 25-year tradition of playing the finals on a Sunday evening after securing a three-year TV deal with Setanta.

However, with the ladies final fixed for 7.15pm on Friday, February 3, followed by the men’s final between UCC Demons and UL Eagles at 9.15pm, it has added huge logistical problems for the Munster clubs.