Murphy raps choice of venue for minors

GALWAY minor manager Mattie Murphy is hugely disappointed at the decision not to play the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals in Croke Park as curtain-raisers to the senior games.

“There won’t be too many people interested in the Christy Ring Cup final between Down and Westmeath”, said Murphy whose minor team plays Cork in the first of the semi-finals in Portlaoise on Saturday (6 p.m.).

“It means that no minor team will play in Croke Park before the final. Is any thought being given to the enormous expense supporters are being put to follow their teams? Surely our game with Cork could be played before Sunday’s semi-final or the second semi-final involving Galway and Kilkenny the week after.