Kerry hurlers play semi-final in Tralee

NOT for the first time the Kerry hurlers will be seen as being cold-shouldered by the authorities, with their Christy Ring Cup semi-final against Carlow being played in Tralee on Saturday, almost in opposition to the Munster SFC semi-final replay in Cork.

Consideration was given to playing their game – also a replay – as a curtain-raiser in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but it wasn’t pursued.

The hurling game is timed for 2.30pm – in Austin Stack Park – with the footballers lining out against holders Cork at 5pm. Clearly, a double fixture would have suited the minority of fans who might attend the Tralee game if there wasn’t a clash, but the preference for hurling officials was to keep home advantage.

Kerry hurling manager Mossie Carroll was philosophical about the situation, being more concerned that while they are injury-free, a number of their players were recovering from the ‘flu. “We don’t have a great following anyway, but we might have got a bigger home crowd if the football game wasn’t on,’’ he said.