Déise panel wanted final played in Thurles

Waterford GAA chairman Tom Cunningham has expressed disappointment with the Munster Council’s refusal to move the July 15 provincial senior hurling final from Páirc Uí Chaoimh to Semple Stadium.

Cunningham has confirmed that the unsuccessful Déise request to switch the game from Cork City to Thurles originated from the players.

The provincial showpiece was originally confirmed for Páirc Uí Chaoimh on June 7 but when Tipperary defeated Cork last Sunday to set up a second successive final against Waterford, the venue for the glamour fixture was immediately called into question.

On his personal Twitter page, Waterford full-back Liam Lawlor led the campaign for change, stating: “We want to play in Thurles. Best field in the land — let’s hope common sense prevails.”

Other Waterford players on the social networking site voiced their displeasure at the quality of the dressing room facilities at the Cork venue, renowned for being extremely tight and cramped.

But their pleas — and an official request from the Waterford County Board — fell on deaf ears on Monday evening as a specially convened Munster Council Competitions Control Committee meeting voted 8-2 in favour of reaffirming Páirc Uí Chaoimh as the venue.

It is understood Tipperary, naturally, had no qualms with the Waterford suggestion but, ultimately, the status quo remained in place.

Cunningham explained: “We had to give our support to team management and players. We are disappointed with the result but from here, our full concentration is on the Munster final — and winning it. The players and management received full backing from the executive committee and at a full county board meeting [held on Monday evening].

“The odds were stacked against us as the fixture was already made. We accept the Munster Council’s decision and we move on from here.”

Waterford, of course, have painful memories from last year’s Munster final against Tipperary, also played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Tipp ran out 7-19 to 0-19 winners but the Waterford players insisted the result of that game was not a major factor in their decision to push for Semple Stadium, which is a home venue for Tipp and where they train for the majority of the summer.

One delegate present at Monday’s county board meeting revealed: “We spoke about going to Thurles — the players and management wanted it — and there were no dissenting voices. I couldn’t believe the decision of the Munster Council. We would have health and safety concerns about certain areas of the ground [Páirc Uí Chaoimh]. And it is also important to note that there was no financial sweetheart deal discussed with Tipperary.”