Lyons upset with timing of Tipp clash
“The games themselves are great but I’m not pleased with the order in which they will be played,” said Lyons.
“When it became clear two weeks ago that Clare and Tipperary would meet in the third round of phase two, we requested that the game be played first as both counties are due to meet in the Munster championship on May 18.
“With the league game down for decision on April 27, that leaves just three weeks to the championship match, for too close for my liking.
Cork drew the short straw in the choice of venues following a draw to decide who would play at home. All six teams in the top section were put into a hat and Cork are the only county that will have to play two of their three games away from home.
Cork selector Donie Collins expressed surprise at having to travel away twice: “I don’t know how the decision was arrived at, but we were led to believe we would have two games at home in the second phase. All three games will be great tests for our team and with positions still up for grabs, they afford players the ideal opportunity to stake a claim.”
Tipperary manager Michael Doyle said he is delighted at getting three extra highly competitive matches ahead of the championship. “It’s ideal preparation,” he said.
“Personally I would have preferred four straight quarter-finals but we knew at the start of the league campaign what was ahead of us and I accept that. The league really starts now. I’ve no problems with the venues. The games have to be played somewhere, but I wouldn’t have minded playing Kilkenny in Thurles. That’s going to be a cracking match.”
Kilkenny boss Brian Cody was of a similar mind having two of the three games at home. “We’re happy with that,” said Cody.
Galway manager Conor Hayes, said he was pleased with the draw. “It gives us two very good games at home to Wexford and Cork which is ideal preparation for the forthcoming championship,” he said.
There are a number of outstanding games in prospect, notably the meeting of Tipperary and Kilkenny on April 13 in Nowlan Park; Cork and Kilkenny at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and Tipp v Galway in Thurles, both on April 20.
Clare and Tipperary will meet in Cusack Park on April 27 three weeks before they are due to clash in the Munster championship, but by then, that game may not be relevant.
Other games to look forward to on the same day are the meetings of Galway and Cork in Pearse Stadium, and Kilkenny v Wexford in Nowlan Park.
The dates and venues are: April 13, Round 6: Division 1, Group One: (all games at 3.30 p.m.)
At Nowlan Park - Kilkenny v Tipperary
At Cusack Park - Clare v Cork
At Pearse Stadium - Galway v Wexford
Group Two: At Birr - Offaly v Laois
At Kilmallock - Limerick v Waterford
At Celtic Park - Derry v Dublin
Division 2, Group One
At Tralee - Kerry v Antrim
At Páirc Tailteann - Meath v Down
At Mullingar - Westmeath v Carlow
Group Two
At Arklow - Wicklow v Kildare
At Pearse Park - Longford v Roscommon
Division 3, Group One
At Markievicz Park - Sligo v Monaghan
At Ballinrobe - Mayo v Louth
At Dungannon - Tyrone v Armagh
Group Two
At Letterkenny - Donegal v Fermanagh
At Carrick-on-Shannon - Leitrim v Cavan
April 20/21, Round 7
Division 1, Group One
At Páirc Uí Chaoimh - Cork v Kilkenny
At Wexford Park - Wexford v Clare
At Thurles - Tipperary v Galway
Group Two
At Portlaoise - Laois v Limerick
At Walsh Park - Waterford v Derry.
At Parnell Park - Dublin v Offaly.
Division 2, Group One
At Casement Park - Antrim v Meath
At Dr Cullen Park - Carlow v Down
At Cusack Park - Westmeath v Kerry
Group Two
At Newbridge - Kildare v Longford
At Dr Hyde Park - Roscommon v Wicklow
Division 3, Group One
At Dundalk - Louth v Sligo
At Dungannon - Tyrone v Mayo
At Athletic Grounds - Armagh v Monaghan
Group Two
At Breffni Park - Cavan v Donegal
At Enniskillen - Fermanagh v Leitrim
April 27, Round 8
Division 1, Group One
At Nowlan Park - Kilkenny v Wexford
At Cusack Park - Clare v Tipperary
At Pearse Stadium - Galway v Cork
Group Two
At Celtic Park - Derry v Laois
At Birr - Offaly v Waterford
At Kilmallock - Limerick v Dublin
Division 2, Group One
At Newry - Down v Kerry
At Dr Cullen Park - Carlow v Antrim
At Páirc Tailteann - Meath v Westmeath
Division 3, Group One
At Markievicz Park - Sligo v Tyrone
At Clones - Monaghan v Mayo
At Athletic Grounds - Armagh v Louth
The Division 1, 2 and 3 hurling league finals will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5th, while the Division 3 Hurling shield final is fixed for April 27th.
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