Killarney club semi-final decision provokes anger
O'Rahillys had expected, and were entitled, to make their Munster Championship debut against the Cork champions at home Tralee's Austin Stack Park.
However, Munster Council officers voted en bloc at a GAC meeting last Thursday night to ensure the original decision to play the meeting of the Cork and Kerry champions in Killarney, was not overturned.
That decision had been taken in advance of O'Rahillys progress to, and victory in the Kerry SFC final it is understood that An Ghaeltacht's favouritism for the Championship was a factor in the initial decision.
After O'Rahillys claimed their first county title in 45 years against Kilcummin nine days ago, five counties voted to switch the game to Tralee last Thursday night Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary, Clare and Waterford.
However, because the switch required a two thirds majority, the votes of chairman Christy Cooney (Cork), Dan Hoare (Cork), Frank Murphy (Cork) and vice chairman, Sean Fogarty (Tipperary) were sufficient to
prevent the game moving to Austin Stack Park.
Fumed Kerry GAA chairman Sean Walsh: "We are very, very unhappy at the decision.
"Have we reached a point where the officership of the Munster Council are effectively telling counties where to play their matches? We feel strongly enough in Kerry on the issue to
believe that it warrants a full meeting of the Munster Council."
Sixmilebridge felt similarly aggrieved to be playing their provincial hurling semi-final in Ennis last Sunday, pointing out that local business interests who supported the club, felt let down by the decision.
Kerins O'Rahillys coach Eoin Liston was keen last night to maintain his players' focus on Sunday's game but stated that the club's clear preference for the match was Tralee.
"It doesn't seem right that we are compelled to travel to Killarney when it is a home game for us. However, good players can refocus and can thrive on a fresh challenge."
O'Rahillys have cut short their Kerry victory celebrations to prepare for a game which Liston sees as important for the county. "We are representing Kerry now and there are a lot of people in Tralee and beyond who would be thrilled to see up put one over on a side like Nemo Rangers."
O'Rahillys returned to training on Thursday and played poorly, by their own admission, in a Munster league game on Sunday against Clonakilty.
"We came out of it unscathed, even though we were, not surprisingly, very poor," admitted Liston. Their only injury concern for Sunday is defender Johnny Kelly.
Monaleen are concerned about the fitness of Eoin Keating for the other Munster semi-final against Clonmel Commercials at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.
Keating received a kick in the thigh during the course of last week's county under 21 semi-final and is given little chance of being fit.
He will be a huge loss after playing a mjor role for his side in the recently county final replay against Ahane.
Likewise Clonmel are likely to be without one key player, Keith Fahey, for the trip to the Gaelic Grounds.
He went into the recent Tipp county final with a heavily strapped leg but was forced off with a re-occurrance of a hamstring injury and there has been little response to treatment since.
Meanwhile, Mattock Rangers (Louth) and Moorefield (Kildare) clash for the first time in the AIB Leinster semi-final at Navan next Sunday, with the big prize of a Leinster final appearance awaiting the winners. It has been a remarkable season for Rangers who won the Louth title for the first time in their history before moving up a gear to beat Starlights (Wexford) in a replay and Tullamore (Offaly) to set up a semi-final date.
The Collon outfit, coached by former Meath star Des Lane have embarked on a great adventure but they face a huge test against Moorefield, who will be determined to make amends for 2000 when they lost the Leinster semi-final by a point to eventual champions, O'Hanrahan's (Carlow). Moorefield beat Garrycastle (Westmeath) by 0-13 to 1-4 in the quarter-final.
Defending Leinster champions, Rathnew, put their crown on the line against UCD in the quarter-final clash at Aughrim. UCD won the Dublin championship for the first time since 1974, beating St.Vincent's in the final last Sunday by 0-16 to 1-6. Sunday's winners will play Dunshaughlin (Meath) in the semi-final on Sunday week.
Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran will be in action for a fourth successive Sunday when they tackle defending Ulster and All-Ireland champions, Ballinderry (Derry) in the AIB Ulster football semi-final.
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