Waterford won’t be looking for Walsh Park to stage Cork clash
The new terracing opposite the main stand at Walsh Park was completed earlier this year, increasing the grounds capacity to 17,000.
Waterford were unsuccessful last November in their attempt to have the venue approved for last summer’s Munster SHC quarter-final against Cork and chairman Tom Cunningham yesterday revealed Déise officials will not be putting their case to the Munster Council to have next year’s provincial hurling semi-final, Cork again the opposition, staged at Walsh Park.
The Waterford executive are to instead focus their attention on developing terracing behind either goal which would see the grounds capacity exceed 20,000.
“In the coming years we would hope Munster championship hurling will be played at Walsh Park,” said Cunningham. “Our aim is to develop terracing behind the goals which would further increase the capacity and give us a better chance of hosting big games down the line. We will not be looking for the venue to be approved for Munster championship hurling in 2015, but in the years ahead, definitely. We have not given up on that goal.”
Waterford last played Munster senior championship in Walsh Park back in 2003 against Kerry. Said Munster Council chairman Robert Frost last year: “They’re doing a good bit of work down there, but while a lot of work has been done, there is more to do.”
At Tuesday night’s County Board meeting, it was decided the budget available to the next senior football manager would be €125,000.
This is a similar figure to what was available to Niall Carew, who resigned the role back in August. In a parting shot at the board, Carew said the county was “swimming against the tide” because of the fact the football teams were not getting equal resources to their hurling brethren.
The board had hoped to propose a name to club delegates at Tuesday’s meeting to fill the vacant position, but Cunningham says no appointment will take place this week.
“Interviews are ongoing. We are still meeting with various candidates and we would hope to have it all wrapped up in the next two weeks.”
A number of managerial appointments were made at the meeting: Sean Lyons from Ballyduff Lower replaces Derek Lyons as minor hurling manager for 2015. His backroom team will consist of Sean Cullinane, Ray Murphy, Wayne Power and Alan Dempsey. Tim Lenihan of the Shamrocks club was ratified as minor football manager and Ger Power from Rathgormack will take charge of the U21 football team.
Meanwhile, Malachy O’Rourke has received the green light to remain as Monaghan football manager until the end of 2017.
O’Rourke, along with his backroom team of Leo Mc Bride, Ryan Porter and Finbarr Fitzpatrick, was appointed in 2013 for three years with a review to take place after the 2014 championship campaign. Following said review by the Monaghan executive, it has been confirmed O’Rourke has agreed to serve for an additional two seasons which will see him remain at the helm until the end of 2017.
Elsewhere, interviews for the position of Sligo senior football manager are to take place this weekend. Board chairman Joe Taaffe yesterday confirmed the four-person selection committee will meet with the various candidates over the weekend, Pat Flanagan’s successor to be rubber-stamped next week.
“That is our plan and we are hoping to have a new manager in place sometime next week,” said Taaffe.
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