Angry Fans

Brass or bag pipes? Not much of a choice, really. But some fans are angry with the Munster Council for replacing the traditional pipe band on final day with a brass band. The TV3 honeymoon is over. They get a lash this week for the quality of their coverage and the GAA is criticised for failing to ensure live championship games are broadcast in Irish on TG4.

Still on the topic of TV, some people don’t like Vodafone’s new sponsorship ads. Following the weekend’s one-sided hurling games, the topic of the season – reform of the championship – gets another airing. There’s deserved praise for Cork’s footballers but some questions are raised over Kerry decisions on the sideline. Henry Shefflin. Is he more sinning than sinned against? Whatever the truth, some fans think he suffers in comparison to previous greats of the game.

PART OF the experience of the Munster final is the presence of the Seán Treacy Pipe Band from Moycarkey in Thurles, the Castlelyons Pipe Band in Cork or the Liam Lynch Pipe Band from Anglesboro in Limerick. It’s also what we are used to in the earlier rounds and it adds to the atmosphere. I don’t know whose decision it has been to start bringing the Artane Band to Munster hurling finals, but with respect, a brass band doesn’t belong there. The Munster Council should restore the tradition and greater enjoyment of bagpipe music at Munster finals.