Antrim want Cork’s Munster championship place

ANTRIM GAA chiefs would welcome an offer for their senior hurlers to compete in the Munster SHC if the striking Cork hurlers fail to compete in the championship.

The doomsday scenario of no Rebel participation in all competitions edged a closer following the collapse of talks with Labour Relations Committee Chairman Kieran Mulvey and new GAA director general Paraic Duffy.

The Cork hurlers, last year’s defeated finalists, are drawn against Tipperary in a Munster SHC semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on June 8.

Antrim, who made history last week when becoming the first non-Leinster team to win the Walsh Cup, have been extremely vocal in their desire to compete outside of Ulster. Ironically under the existing fixture list Antrim will be playing a Munster side if beaten in their first game of the championship against Galway.

Antrim secretary Jim Murray last night said Saffron hurling would grab the opportunity of playing in Munster with both hands.

“It is not an issue. We would certainly consider it. I would love to take the opportunity to compete in the Munster championship.

“I couldn’t see a problem with the board or the team if we were asked.

“In fact we would consider it a huge honour.”

Despite the possibility of playing in the famed provincial championship, Murray hopes that a resolution can be found to the Cork dispute.

“I certainly don’t want Cork to pull out of the championship for the selfish reason that we can gain.

“And I wouldn’t want it to be seen as Antrim benefiting from Cork’s internal problem. If Cork did pull out, it would be a matter for the Munster Council. We would let them come to us. But I genuinely hope that a solution can be found down in Cork.”

As the only team in Ulster, Antrim will play their first championship game against Galway in an All-Ireland SHC qualifier on June 28 at Casement Park.

The winner progresses to meet a first-round loser from Leinster.

The loser will play a team defeated in the first round of the Munster championship. Murray is not a fan of the complicated system.

“That fixture is Groundhog Day all over again. It is not good for us and it is not good for Galway. We are looking to the long term future of Antrim hurling. We would look at an opportunity to promote the game up here and if that means competing in the Munster championship we will be there.”