All-Munster clash set for Kerry as Tipp argue toss
GAC bosses confirmed the times, dates and venues for the both the hurling and footballer qualifiers after a meeting in Croke Park yesterday, with the all-Munster pairing being set for Kerry after a lengthy debate.
The counties have a home and away agreement for Munster championship hurling, and the Premier men were due to travel for the next meeting.
“When the draws were made on Sunday after the Munster final, we were of the opinion the game should be played in either Thurles or Cork,” Cork chairman Jim Forbes said.
“We made representation to Tipp to honour the current agreement but they didn’t agree. We then suggested a toss for venue and again Tipp refused.
“We made further representation to Tipp to enter into a home and away arrangement for All-Ireland qualifiers and to toss for choice of venue to start the new agreement, all to no avail.
“At the GAC meeting in Croke Park one final attempt was made by Cork to try to persuade Tipp to enter into an agreement, and again it didn’t find favour. They were looking for a neutral venue and Limerick was their choice.
“There were two venues proposed at the meeting, Limerick and Killarney and on a vote the Kerry venue won out. We didn’t propose it, but Killarney would have been our choice.”
Tipperary chairman Donie Shanahan explained their stance.
“We consulted with our senior selectors who weren’t prepared to toss for choice of venue and the county board has to respect that,” said Mr Shanahan.
“Both counties will have very happy memories of playing Munster championship hurling games in Killarney, and it should be another huge occasion.”
The meeting of All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and Galway will be played 24 hours later in Thurles.
Meanwhile, Waterford County Board officials reacted furiously last night to the decision of the GAC to fix their All-Ireland football qualifier against Longford for Pearse Park.
“We will be making the long journey to Pearse Park, but we want to publicly express our disgust at the decision of the GAC,” Waterford secretary Seamas Grant said.
“The venue was decided on the toss of a coin, but no one within the GAC bothered to consult with us in advance,” Grant said. “If this is the way Croke Park wants to go about helping football in the weaker counties, then all I can say is God help Waterford’s future prospects.”
The Longford chairman, Martin Skelly, spoke with the Waterford PRO John Jackson yesterday and suggested the game be played at a neutral venue or alternatively that there be a toss to decide home advantage.
“The Longford view is that because they were relegated from their division in the League they too should be designated, but they seem to forget that it’s not that long ago since they defeated Kerry in the League,” Jackson said.
He added that Waterford hadn’t won a senior football championship game for a decade and a half.
“If this isn’t akin to kicking a man while he is lying on the ground I don’t know what is,” he said.
Six of the football fixtures will take place on Saturday with the meeting of Cavan and Derry on Sunday and the Offaly/Wexford tie on Saturday week.
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