Clare chiefs defend final call

CLARE County Board chairman Michael O’Neill has defended the decision to play Sunday’s senior hurling decider between Crusheen and Sixmilebridge in Cusack Park despite the horrendous weather conditions and insists no representative from either club made an attempt to get the game postponed.

Crusheen lifted the Canon Hamilton trophy for the second successive year with a 0-10 to 0-4 success but the action was marred by the playing conditions with Sixmilebridge attacker Niall Gilligan questioning the decision afterwards to play the game.

“The referee has the final say and he was happy to let the game go ahead,” stated O’Neill. “In that event, I think it was right to play the game. It was unfortunate that we got hit with such heavy showers of rain.

“We were focused on the safety of players but if you look at it there were no real instances of guys sliding under tackles.

“Neither of the two teams came near us about trying to get the game postponed and I think they were both just geared up to play yesterday.”

The decision taken on Sunday morning to switch the Clare intermediate decider between Ruan and Éire Óg, which had been pencilled in as the curtain-raiser for the senior final, to Clarecastle was an effort to protect the pitch for the senior showpiece.

“We had an inspection of Cusack Park at 9.30am on Sunday but we were unsure whether the pitch could take two games at that stage,” revealed O’Neill.

“We left it off until 11am and at that stage felt it was best to notify the two intermediate teams that their game would be moved to Clarecastle.

“That was done to help both senior teams but it was just unfortunate then there was such heavy rain before throw-in.”

Meanwhile, Kilkenny County Board PRO Conor Denieffe said Cats hurling chiefs were “happy enough” that Sunday’s county senior final was played in Nowlan Park, despite similarly terrible playing conditions.

Heavy rain made the going hard for Ballyhale Shamrocks and James Stephens, who played out a low-scoring draw, with the replay down for decision next Sunday.

“We were happy enough the game was played,” said Denieffe yesterday.

“Ultimately the decision to play a game is down to the referee, but we were happy and the game was played to its conclusion.

“In fairness to the ground staff in Nowlan Park, the pitch has been terrific, given that matches have been played on it on Saturdays and Sundays for the last few weeks, they’ve enabled it to bear up pretty well.

“I know the rain was very heavy but in fairness to both teams they played the game in the right spirit.”

Ballyhale and James Stephens will clash again at 2.45pm next Sunday in Nowlan Park, with the replay of the minor decider between Thomastown and Bennettsbridge — which also ended in a draw last Sunday — throwing in at 12.45pm.