Kingdom relieved to avoid fixtures headache

THE Kerry management were clearly happy to see yesterday’s Allianz Football League semi-final replay in Pearse Stadium produce a winner.

A third meeting of Galway and Tyrone next Sunday would have meant the postponement of the final to May 16, one week before Kerry play Clare in the Munster championship.

The plan would have been to fix the second replay in Croke Park next Sunday, along with the Division Two final between Down and Offaly.

Equally, the GAC will have been relieved to avoid the type of fixture congestion resulting from Tyrone's involvement in the first defence of their Ulster and All-Ireland titles on Sunday week, against Derry. The date for a replay of that game is May 15.

Meanwhile, Sunday week's Allianz Hurling League final will be played in the Gaelic Grounds, with Waterford meeting Galway.

Clare's eight points win over Cork on Saturday night made for an interesting climax to the preliminary phase yesterday. In the event, Galway beat Limerick in Pearse Stadium by a sufficient margin to edge Clare out on scoring difference. They needed to win by ten points and finished 11 points ahead.

Over in Thurles, Waterford ensured their place by drawing with Tipperary.

After yesterday's game in Pearse Stadium, Tyrone Chairman Liam Nelis expressed disappointment they didn't make it to Croke Park to defend their title.

"But, it means we have two weeks to get ready for Derry and that is the focus from now on.

"The lads need a rest. They have been through an awful lot since the beginning of the League, with Cormac McAnallen's death and three tough games against Cork, Kerry and Galway in recent weeks," he added.