Cork conceding home advantage ‘never on the table’

Cork chairman Ger Lane says Páirc Ui Rinn is well capable of staging the county’s hurling qualifier against Dublin the weekend after next and doesn’t believe demand will outweigh supply despite the venue’s capacity standing at 16,400.

Lane described the pairing of Cork and Dublin - the latter are managed by Cork native Ger Cunningham - as “the game of the round” and insisted conceding home advantage to cater for the anticipated large attendance was never on the table. €40k was spent on the venue early last year to ensure it could competently serve as the premier home of Cork GAA until the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh is complete.

“We have always had great support at home and we would expect this will no different. We’re expecting a huge crowd and a big performance after the disappointment of Thurles, ” remarked the county board chairman.