Bush visit fails to derail qualifiers
Gardaí yesterday gave the go ahead for Páirc na nGael in Limerick to host a potential double header on June 26, the day that George W. Bush departs from Shannon in the midst of one of the largest security operations ever in the State.
Limerick will play Tipperary at 7.30pm having won a toss for choice of home venue while Clare may be in action at the venue two hours earlier if Laois beat Westmeath this weekend.
Though the Ennis/Limerick road will be closed until 3pm due to the Presidential departure, the GAC do not foresee any difficulties for travelling Clare supporters.
However if Clare are paired with Westmeath the game will be played in Mullingar at 4.30pm.
All-Ireland champions Kilkenny who were sensationally dumped out of the Leinster semi-final by Wexford on Sunday won’t know until the weekend who (or where) they are playing.
The qualifier draws pairs them with the losers of the other Leinster semi-final on Sunday between Offaly and Dublin.
If it’s against Dublin, the game will be in Dr. Cullen Park, otherwise Portlaoise would be the venue.
Irrespective of the opposition, Clare manger Anthony Daly insisted yesterday that they would not be taking anything for granted.
“The way we played in the first round of the Munster championship we just could not,’’ he commented. “We will have to play three times better to have any hope of winning. At the moment we are near rock-bottom. I suppose we will be favourites, but no game would be an easy one for us!’’
Similarly, Galway captain Ollie Canning said that the League champions will treat Down with the utmost respect especially as the game will be played in Ballycran.
“I would not call it an easy draw. We will prepare for this game the very same we would prepare for any other team.’’
On the broader front, Canning agreed that the inclusion of Kilkenny in the qualifier section will make the format more competitive. “I wouldn’t say their defeat was unexpected. I know Wexford prepared very well. We played them in a challenge in Portlaoise a few weeks ago and you could see they were playing well.’’
As far as the All-Ireland champions are concerned, the Leinster championship is over and done with now, states selector Noel Skehan. “There’s no point in dwelling on it. We could be talking about it until Kingdom come, but nothing is going to change Having a two weeks break is definitely a help, but we could have local club championship games this weekend,’’ he added.
Fixtures:
Saturday June 26: Limerick v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm.
If Laois v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, 5.30pm; If Westmeath v Clare, Mullingar, 4.30pm.
Down v Galway Ballycran, 4.30pm.
If Dublin v Kilkenny, Dr Cullen Park; If Offaly v Kilkenny, Portlaoise (time to be confirmed).
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