Munster final moved for TV

MUNSTER Council chiefs have delayed their provincial football final by a week in an effort to secure live television coverage.

The decider was fixed for June 29th but will be played on July 6th so as to guarantee that the game will be broadcast.

Council Chairman Jimmy O’Gorman revealed: “The primary reason for the change was because of TV coverage, or should I say the lack of it, on June 29. With RTÉ and TV3 involved in the sponsorship of our games, we would have no coverage of the Munster football final if we stuck to the original date.

“The TV stations are tied up that weekend with other games in the other provinces and I would be very conscious of our responsibility to our many followers who no longer can get to the matches and are now totally dependent on the TV to see them.

“Also, we didn’t want a situation where the two TV stations would have to go head to head on June 29. That was never going to be a runner.

“Putting the final back a week means we will be in opposition to the Leinster hurling final only.

“That game and our football final can now be staggered to accommodate the TV stations.”

He admitted that the decision may not be welcomed in some quarters — especially if the final finishes in a draw.

“We were very conscious of the implications the change could have for counties. Should there be a replay in the football final then we could be in a bit of a bind but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

“Munster is not the only province affected by the live TV coverage. The other three will have to juggle their programmes also to avoid the TV stations clashing on the same day.”

Kerry secretary Eamon O’Sullivan says the change could cause chaos for the Kingdom’s domestic fixtures pro gramme. Adjustments will be required if Kerry reach the NFL final on April 27th and the All-Ireland U21 final on May 3rd. The Kerry secretary has pencilled in preliminary round matches in the county SFC for April 27th and round one games for May 18th.

“Changing the Munster final should we be in it poses the greatest headache,” said the Kerry county secretary. “The Munster final is now down for decision on July 6th with the replay if there is one, on July 20th, with the All-Ireland qualifier fixed for August 4th.

“Originally we had six weeks to an All-Ireland qualifier and that no longer exists now so therefore the possibility of playing county championship within the new period is very limited and nil if the Munster final ends in a draw.

“We’ll just have to look at it. I’m putting clubs on notice now that while the programme as outlined in February stands, the CCC will meet after the U21 semi-final and reassess the situation. It’s possible that intermediate, junior and novice club championship matches will be deferred and at least one round of the preliminary county championship will also be put back.

“When you add in the earlier postponements of county league games — there will have to be midweek matches in both league and championships. We have to be conscious that we must have our county champions ready for the Munster Club campaign at the other end of the year.”

The Munster Council have decided to completely revamp the Munster hurling and football leagues for the coming year.

Continued O’Gorman: “I’ve appointed Council vice chairman Sean Walsh to head up the new committee with Danny Nelligan the Assistant Munster Council secretary, as the servicing officer. “Each county will have a representative on the new committee. The names of the cups will be Jack Lynch for hurling and John Dowling for football.

“It gives clubs the opportunity to play outside their respective counties which can only be good for the games. It would be my intention to launch the new leagues very shortly.”