Munster Colleges officials stand over fixture clash

Munster Colleges officials have defended their scheduling of the Dr Harty Cup final between Coláiste na Déise and Nenagh CBS which goes head to head with the glamour Allianz Hurling League clash of Kilkenny and Tipperary on February 26.

Nenagh CBS’s qualification for a first Munster senior decider in 15 years, after Tuesday’s dramatic semi-final replay win over Ardscoil Rís, is set to generate huge interest in the colleges game in the North Tipperary area.

But Premier hurling fans must now choose between attending the match in Cashel or travelling to Kilkenny to see the league tie which is a repeat of the last three All-Ireland hurling finals. Both games are fixed for 2.30pm.

Provincial colleges officials have opted to stick with the traditional Sunday afternoon slot with a Saturday fixture deemed unsuitable due to Waterford’s Division 1A hurling league clash with Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn on the evening of February 25th.

“We put dates on all our games way back last June when the draws are made,” stated Munster Colleges Council servicing officer Tom Collum.

“We take our chances then with National League games.

“We have changed to a Saturday in the past but we prefer to play on a Sunday as people have a better chance of being off work to see the game. The fact that Waterford are playing Cork on that Saturday night is a problem.

“If you’re going to a 2.30pm game in Cashel, I don’t think it’s suitable then to head for a 7pm throw-in in Cork. We’d love to accommodate everyone but with the two counties involved, Waterford and Tipperary, we have a problem given the start of the National League.

Both schools, Coláiste na Déise and Nenagh CBS, understand the situation and they see the difficulty that we are in.”