Traffic chaos sees replay set for Sunday

MUNSTER Council officials took into consideration the traffic congestion problems experienced en route to Killarney last Saturday before deciding that Fitzgerald Stadium would host a Sunday Munster SFC final replay between Kerry and Limerick.

However, the controversy surrounding the hurling qualifier between Cork and Tipperary was not the only reason officials moved the football final back 24 hours. The game had originally been scheduled for Saturday but because Limerick are hosting the All-Ireland hurling qualifier between Clare and Offaly, it could not proceed on that day.

Munster Council PRO Fr Seamus Gardiner outlined the reasons for the switch.

"First, we were conscious of the Limerick County Board's involvement on Saturday. It would not have been right to ask their officers to travel when they were hosting such an important game at home.

"Second, there were major traffic problems for supporters getting to Killarney last Saturday. It was a shopping day in every town along the way, which also didn't help.

"After consultation with both the Connacht and Leinster Council officials their provincials finals are also scheduled for Sunday it was agreed to refix the Munster final. RTÉ have been on to us to change the time of the game but we were unable to do so on this occasion. Throw-in is at 3.30pm."

Limerick attacker Muiris Gavin is struggling to be fit for Sunday's replay. The Monaleen man was in trouble early in the drawn game and was substituted in the second-half.

"I was certainly in the wars on Sunday. In the early minutes of the game a Kerry player stood on my ankle which swelled up like a balloon," said Gavin.

"It's touch and go if I will be fit for Sunday's replay. I'll have a better idea by Thursday."

Gavin is adamant that Limerick have not blown their chances of winning their first Munster senior football title in 108 years.

"The players have spoken about the game and are very upbeat. We gifted them at least 1-1 through our own mistakes and that won't happen again.

"A lot of people will be writing us off after Sunday, but we are not out of this final yet. Last year they beat us by five points in the decider, this year there was two points between us in the League semi-final and last Sunday we closed the gap.

"We've proven that Kerry are beatable. It's just a case of going out next Sunday and completing the job."

Meanwhile, the replay of the Munster MFC final between Kerry and Cork has been fixed for Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday. Throw-in is at 7.30pm.

Cork and Kerry have a home and away arrangement for all games in football, and it was Kerry's turn to travel. At the end of Sunday's senior final Kerry made overtures to Cork to come to Killarney for the replay and that they would owe the Leesiders two home games.

However Cork, who had already agreed to a request from the Munster Council to concede home advantage for their semi-final against Waterford, turned down the Kerry suggestion.

This leaves the Council without a meaningful curtain-raiser for Sunday's senior replay.

Meanwhile, Gerry Quinn has been dropped from the Clare hurling squad just days before the county's Guinness All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Offaly.

It is believed the 23-year-old Corofin player, who was substituted in Clare's first outing in the championship, has been dropped on disciplinary grounds.

The defender won't play a part in Saturday's tie with Offaly, where the sides will clash with a quarter-final place against Kilkenny at stake.