Munster chief O’Gorman hits out at critics of provincial championships
The Waterford official was speaking after a thrilling weekend of Munster championship hurling when two semi-finals produced 11 goals 78 points and yet another draw between Limerick and Tipperary.
Said O’Gorman: “The people writing the obituaries of the provincial games should go away and think again. Look at the Limerick/Tipperary games alone. By the time Sunday comes around close on 80,000 people will have seen those counties play live. There was 27,000 the first day, 27,000 on Saturday night and we hope to better that on Sunday. While you had over 36,000 at the other semi-final between Cork and Waterford in Thurles on Sunday.’’
He continued: ‘‘The provincial championship has stood the test of time and tide. I see no threat to it. People get carried away with criticisms of the provincial championships but they should just look at a weekend like this and they would change their tune.
“I think the provincial championships should be left as there are.”
He added: “Maybe other provinces could learn from us. We have five good counties here in Munster because the work is being done at underage level. This didn’t happen overnight. We are working constantly to improve the standards through coaching systems. We are ploughing the money which we are getting from these games, to ensure the future of championship.”
O’Gorman believes hurling in Munster is at its highest level ever — skill wise and interest wise.
“I think Saturday and Sunday shows that. I have been following hurling for many, many years and the weekend was as good as you can see. It was absolutely tremendous to watch those games but as well to see the thousands of people out on the pitch afterwards and the players staying on signing autographs and meeting the fans.”
He also revealed the reasoning behind fixing the Limerick/Tipperary replay for Sunday afternoon in Páirc na nGael at 3.30pm.
“We are playing the game at the most suitable time. We originally fixed the replay of the Limerick Tipperary game for Saturday evening in Páirc na nGael and we planned to play a replay of Cork/Waterford if required for Sunday at 3.30pm.
“But then we discovered there were a few problems with playing the game in Limerick on a Saturday evening. The final of the Irish St Ledger is on there that evening while there is a major novena on in the area and both would have serious crowds. We met yesterday afternoon and because Sunday was free we decided to go with that.’'
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