Council hits back in venue row

THE MUNSTER Council of the GAA issued a strongly-worded statement last night disassociating itself from suggestions that a decision made “behind closed doors without the knowledge of the Waterford GAA Executive” was at the root of the controversial proposal to play this year’s Munster hurling final in Cork.

There was surprise in Waterford GAA circles when it emerged last week that the county had agreed to play Cork in the Munster final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, rather than Semple Stadium in Thurles, if both counties came through their respective semi-finals.

Though Semple Stadium was the original choice for the Munster final, last night’s statement pinpointed a Munster Council meeting of May 30 as the date when Páirc Uí Chaoimh was approved for the fixture by the Council’s Competitions Control Committee “following a strong and reasonable case being presented to it by Waterford GAA”.