Munster considers plan for ‘U25 championships’
Provincial secretary Simon Moroney confirmed they are looking at bringing in what Limerick would consider the U25 championships, the games which would act as curtain-raisers to SFC and SHC matches from 2017 on.
“It would be a competition for reserve, development-type squads which have been formed organically in counties in the existing intermediate hurling and junior football championships in Munster,” said Moroney.
“The age (U25) is not hugely critical. It’s purely a discussion at the moment but the council are exploring the proposal we have received from Limerick. It’s a matter for the provincial CCC (competitions control committee) whether a competition can be organised or not.”
Moroney knows the importance of having curtain-raisers to encourage crowds in early. “Logistically, it’s a useful facility to have, particularly when the same counties are playing in the senior game, although that doesn’t always happen after the first round.
“It’s a question of whether this competition has merits and whether there is an interest in it. There is value in the development of players who are there or thereabouts at inter-county level. If it doesn’t come to pass, we will look at other alternatives for curtain-raisers.”
Moroney said Munster had no opinion on Galway’s suggestion that they may favour approaching the province about entry into their hurling competitions if their stand-off with Leinster is not resolved.
Galway hurling PRO Jarlath Cloonan said on Wednesday they might be amenable to returning to Munster providing the conditions are better than the ones they have with Leinster. But Moroney said: “We haven’t given any consideration to such a development. I can’t communicate any opinion on it. It would be inappropriate to do so when a county and another provincial unit are dialogue.”
Kerry’s rise in hurling and possible return to the Munster SHC might be another factor to consider were Galway to approach the province. Moroney said: “We would be very anxious that Kerry would continue to improve in the progress they are making. Any decision about Kerry returning to the Munster SHC would have to encompass the Munster counties. There’s nothing that we can do or want to in isolation which would play into that process.”
Meanwhile, Moroney hopes there will be more live coverage of the Munster football championship next year. Since 2012 when Cork and Kerry were paired in a semi-final, the only live TV game in the competition each year has been the final. “Those discussions are ongoing but we would feel if the Tipperary-Cork game materialises — and obviously Cork have to beat Waterford — there would be a little extra cache of interest after what happened in this year’s semi-final. Few would have predicted that outcome and Tipperary acquitted themselves well after that.”
Asked if Cork have mentioned the likelihood of the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosting a senior Munster championship game next year, Moroney replied: “It will depend on the completion date and with all big infrastructural projects you’re relying on a lot of things. The planning has been done very well and it’s likely that they will stick to it (proposed completion in July).”
As for the January competitions, Moroney hopes to have participants confirmed in the coming weeks. This year, the council chose not to include third-level teams, which allowed counties in each code to enjoy a round-robin format, each enjoying two games, although would-be All-Ireland SHC champions Tipperary chose not to participate.
“We’re communicating with the counties and hope by the end of next week to know who will be involved. We usually don’t do the draws until the December meeting but if we have sufficient information we might progress on that.”
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