Ulster Council unperturbed over Tyrone’s failure

THE Ulster Council is unperturbed by the failure of All-Ireland champions Tyrone to qualify for the provincial final in Croke Park on July 11.

Council Secretary Danny Murphy pointed out yesterday that they had taken the decision to move the final to Dublin “regardless of the outcome” of the second semi-final on Sunday between the provincial champions and Donegal.

Initially, the idea of playing the final in Croke Park had come from GAA Director-General Liam Mulvihill in Croke Park. And, as it took root, the speculation was that it would happen in the event of Armagh and Tyrone meeting - in a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final clash.

Last week, Tyrone captain Peter Canavan was critical of the way the matter had been handled by the Ulster Council. Specifically, he felt that his side had been ‘set up for a fall’ because of the way the way the final had been flagged in terms of the pairing being the same as in the All-Ireland final.

What has materialised is a repeat of the All-Ireland semi-final, won narrowly by 2002 champions Armagh.

Mr. Murphy pointed out that this game had attracted a crowd of just a few thousand below that which attended the final.

And, he reiterated that the Ulster Council had opted for Croke Park because of the desire to accommodate the greatest possible number of people.

“We did so for that reason, nothing more, nothing less.

“There is no long-term commitment.

Mr. Murphy also noted that it was ‘ unprecedented’ in any province that the last three teams in their championship were also the last three in the All Ireland championship the previous year!

The current capacity of the stadium in Clones is around 35,000.