Waterford winners in quick turnaround
The Munster club SFC meeting of Nemo Rangers and the Waterford representatives had initially been scheduled for this Sunday, November 8, but, as of yesterday evening, was listed for Saturday night in Fraher Field (7pm).
The Munster Council met last night to finalise this weekend’s fixtures, with no request lodged to push back the quarter-final contest until Sunday afternoon.
Waterford chairman Paddy Joe Ryan cannot understand why the game is being played on Saturday.
“We originally thought the fixture was fixed for Sunday. I can’t see that the clubs will be happy. The Laois champions did it and played the Carlow champions the next day.
"The Waterford champions have to play Nemo Rangers, though. That is a very big ask,” he remarked.
He said both Stradbally and Ballinacourty were content to play the county final on Friday evening as opposed to a mid-week decider.
“We only played the county semi-finals last Friday and Saturday night. Both clubs wanted to play this Friday night. Both teams would have players away working during the week and they need a week to prepare for a county final, or at least six days.”
Responding to John Kiely’s criticisms of the recent Waterford football forum in the Irish Examiner last week, Ryan expressed disappointment at the negative commentary of the former Waterford football manager.
“We are trying to get football rejuvenated and we are succeeding in doing that. We are very disappointed that people would be criticising us who didn’t attend the forum.
"It was a hugely productive night where everyone had a chance to air their views. We took on board everything that was said, positive and negative, and have been working on the issues raised.”
Ryan also welcomed Ephie Fitzgerald coming on board as Waterford coach.
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