Supporters lose out as Cork hurlers’ and footballers’ fixtures clash

The Cork County Board insist nothing could be done to avoid the clash between their hurlers and footballers’ Division 1 fixtures next Sunday afternoon.

Cork GAA chiefs had believed their home and away agreement with Tipperary for knockout league fixtures was still in operation. The counties’ last such fixture was the 2012 Division 1 semi-final in Thurles.

However, Tipperary informed them following Sunday’s fixtures that the arrangement had come to an end following that game.

In keeping with the original regulation, both teams having played three home round matches, the venue was determined by a coin toss at yesterday’s Central Competitions Control Committee meeting, which Tipperary won.

The game will throw in at Semple Stadium at 3.30pm, an hour and a half before the Cork footballers, who are currently top of Division 1, take onTyrone at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“It is particularly difficult for our fans,” admitted Cork PRO Tracey Kennedy. “I received an email from a family who have four season tickets for both codes and they’re obviously very upset they can’t attend both games. It is unfortunate it couldn’t be accommodated in some way.”

There are also clashes for the footballers and hurlers of Antrim, Clare, Galway, Laois, Limerick, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.

Dublin’s footballers face Mayo in Croke Park on Saturday but the following afternoon their hurlers must travel to Waterford for the fifth time in succession in the league after they lost the coin toss for choice of venue in their crucial Division 1 play-off. Dublin lost by three points in Walsh Park earlier this month and have not won in the county on their last six visits.

Dublin chairman Andy Kettle said: “We would have preferred to have it in Dublin or a neutral venue but the decision was made by a toss and we lost it. We’ll be in Walsh Park at 3.30pm next Sunday.”

Limerick won the toss for home advantage in their quarter-final against Galway while Kilkenny and Offaly had to cede venue choice to Wexford and Offaly respectively as they each played one more home game in the round stages.

Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League fixtures: Division 1 quarter-finals (3.30pm unless stated): Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium; Limerick v Galway, Gaelic Grounds; Laois v Clare, Portlaoise; Wexford v Kilkenny, Wexford Park.

Division 1A relegation play-off: Waterford v Dublin, Walsh Park.

Division 1B relegation play-off: Antrim v Offaly, Ballycastle (2pm).