Mid-Tipp chief Devane rejects Semple Rugby World Cup link

A leading Tipperary GAA official dismissed speculation that Semple Stadium, Thurles, could be one of the Irish venues if the Rugby World Cup comes to this country.

Mid Tipperary chairman John Devane, referred to recent comment on the subject at the board’s annual convention, in Castleiney at the weekend.

He said: “Rugby is a fine game and I am not ‘anti’ other sports, but, at a time when access to Semple Stadium is restricted to so many of our own games, because of the overuse of the venue, it makes no sense to allow other sports to use it.”

Devane also had an explanation for Tipp’s humiliating defeat by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final in September.

“We overcompensated with too much tactics. There is a strong case for Tipp to return to old-fashioned values which served us well for so many years. Our neighbours borrowed our template — uncompromising defence and ball-playing forwards. 2010 showed what could be done. We should do that again.”