Camogie chiefs stand firm in venue row with Rossa
The game goes ahead as scheduled in O’Moore Park on Sunday, along with the junior final, Association President Liz Howard insisted yesterday in Croke Park.
O’Donovan Rossa are angered by the fact that they have to travel almost 160 miles to Portlaoise, whereas it’s quite close to Freshford, the home base of the Kilkenny champions.
It has led the club promoting an on-line petition for a change, after a formal letter of protest was sent to headquarters.
Club chairman Donal McKinney expressed ‘strong views’ on the matter in a telephone conversation with Ms Howard.
“We had set the venue away in advance,” she explained.
“We wanted a venue that had a good sod, was accessible and central and also media-friendly — because both games will be televised live by Setanta. You have to make decisions and see the big picture rather than facilitating one particular group of people.
“O’Donovan Rossa are not happy with the decision and while I can appreciate their concerns the venue will stand.
“I won’t get into any debate publicly with them. I would have great regard for O’Donovan Rossa. Jim Nelson, whom I am friendly with, who has been involved with Antrim and Ulster, has done a lot of work for hurling and camogie.
“They suggested alternatives, but we had decided on the venue. That’s the way the cookie crumbles. There is very little you can do when you want a good venue for a final and that was the over-riding factor. We looked for Parnell Park, but there’s a club championship game on there.
“That would have been our number one choice.
“My message to O’Donovan Ross is that there’s a game to be played. And if you can play camogie, you can play anywhere. I was talking with Grainne Connolly, one of their players, at the All-stars presentation on Saturday night and she expressed a concern obviously, in a very nice way. But as I said to her, there’s a game to be won and I think this is an extremely good team. They ran St. Lactain’s to a few points in the semi-final last year and I think they are better this year.’’
On a more positive note, Ms Howard expressed her delight that Setanta had agreed to cover both finals live. “This is a great platform for our game. It’s an important step, but a long way to go.
“One of the things I want to see is a level planning pitch for all players.
“I’m looking at this from an equality point of view, and I’m looking at it from both sides.
“I know how easy it was to get sponsorship when I was PRO with Tipperary and how easy it was to get media coverage. But, this is different ball game. I think our whole mind-set has to change where women’s sport is concerned.
“The Sports Council are good to us, the GAA are supportive but there are a lot of other facets out there that I would like to tackle. I’d like to make them see how much the young women of Ireland contribute to our society — just as the hurlers and footballers!’’
In the junior final, Harps from Laois will meeet Keady from Armagh.
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