‘Make Semple permanent Munster final home’
The mid-Tipperary club have drafted the proposal in the belief that the 53,500 capacity venue — designated second in importance only to Croke Park by the GAA — is the ultimate hurling arena.
Loughmore-Castleiney’s suggestion would find favour among many Munster hurlers outside Tipperary, who believe the venue is of no benefit to the Premier County.
Both Cork and Waterford teams enjoyed great days there during the Noughties.
But as the Cork County Board continue to work towards the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh into a potentially 50,000 all-seater stadium, there will be concerns that were the motion to be passed and then successful at Congress next April, it will give Thurles town the monopoly of business that Munster final day brings.
Since 1990, Semple Stadium has seen 13 of 21 Munster finals.
Were the motion to be successful, it would end the home-away arrangement that Tipperary and Cork have, as well as the former’s deals with Clare to play at a neutral venue (Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds).
Meanwhile, north Tipperary club Newport are putting forward a motion to alter the advantage rule in hurling and football.
As they point out, referees can give advantage after a free has been committed but can’t stop play if it fails to materialise for the team of the player who was fouled. They are suggesting the official should be allowed five or six seconds to decide whether the transgressed player has gained advantage and, if not, permitted to stop play and give a free where the original foul occurred.
Tipperary’s annual convention takes place Monday, December 20.
